Nine years ago, I gave my ice breaker in front of the Greensburg Toastmasters. Time has passed me by and, that group that I spoke to has changed hands many times since 2011. But two things are still the same. I’m still involved in Toastmasters and I still love to update my wardrobe. Since I joined Greensburg Toastmasters, the Pittsburgh Penguins have won back to back Stanley Cups. Just last year, I developed a passion for blogging and it’s become a hit with District 13. My reason for joining Toastmasters has changed too, somewhat.
When I joined Greensburg Toastmasters in June of that year, it was because I had a passion for communicating and wanted to tell stories. In fact, I was interested in going for a second undergraduate degree, in Communications. I thought Toastmasters could help me.
I eventually shelved the idea of going back to school altogether and just focused on my job. Now that I look back, it was a ploy to make up for my mediocre college experience at Slippery Rock University. That’s what I thought at the time. I eventually accepted my time there (eight years after graduating). My workplace or even a Toastmasters meeting is its own classroom, and I don’t have go into debt to pay for it.
Now I belong to Toastmasters because I want to inspire people with my message. In my blogs, I close out every post by encouraging people to live their best lives and be their best selves. Fellow Greensburg Toastmaster Faerie Grace inspires people in her videos on social media. I want to do the same in my blog. I want to be a ray of sunshine to someone who needs it.
I’ve been friends with Mr. Clougherty for 24 years. Kevin has been my teacher, coach, and also my mentor, since I started high school. He’s an excellent person who has shaped my life into what it is today. I’ll always be thankful for the opportunity that he gave me to become swim team manager during my sophomore year of high school. This helped me to become more social and gave me some new friends to make memories with.
Even though I’ve been graduated from high school and academia for many years now, Mr. Clougherty and I continue to maintain a solid friendship. I visit practice in the fall while his freshmen run the stairs at Spartan Stadium or in the Field House. He always tells his new crop all about the best swim team manager ever. While life may be too busy for me, Kevin understands and always keeps the door open for me. He accepts me for who I am and doesn’t criticize me over petty things.
We have had a tradition once a month to eat dinner out since 2013. Wherever we go, we have a great time. I used to pepper him with my insecurities and he would just listen. He always pays for the meal every time, even if I offer to chip in. It’s his way of reimbursing me for all the years I served on the swim team. But I feel that I owe him too for molding me into the person that I am today.
I am a well traveled individual. My job takes me all over Creation. I work for an inventory company where I count the merchandise. My job is production based. We need to count a certain amount to meet a certain criteria. How far will I go for work? I’ve gone as far south as Kentucky and as far east as Harrisburg. This job has given me leverage in serving District roles and attending events outside District 13.
Over my nine years in Toastmasters, I’ve attended events and conferences in Altoona and State College and Erie. My role as an Area Director has taken me to Elk County. I’m no stranger to District 13, visiting other District events too.
One of my favorite clubs to visit locally is the Cranberry High Noon chapter. If I have a Monday off, I will make plans to come up and attend their meeting. The members are very friendly and welcoming and supportive. My last visit there in December was my most memorable. I even got style points on my blog and my outfit. Just walking into the room made their day. This club sets the gold standard for District 13. I love my Cranberry High Noon Fam!
Stylish 🍒 