Page 20 - VoicesFeb2015 .pub
P. 20
lding Confidence through Toastmasters
Becky Holm, Area 21 Governor
Many moons ago, in a land far away, an extrovert woman had
a red headed daughter. When that daughter grew up, she
waxed strong and grew in beauty and grace. Alas, she was
vexed with shyness, doubt and lack of confidence.
Isn’t that how stories start? That, to a degree is how it was in
the Holm house.
Kayleen was, and still is, remarkably smart. That is both a
blessing and a curse. She doesn’t tolerate fools gladly and
things come easy to her that don’t to others. Because of that,
she was confident in her abilities, but not confident when it
came to her appearance or her dealings with others.
When she entered high school, she joined Future Farmers of
America (FFA) and Future Business Leaders of America
(FBLA). In FFA, there is a required public speaking
component. In FBLA, it’s an extracurricular club that
competes in business related events, one of which is public
speaking.
Kayleen discovered that she was good at public speaking.
Also that the others in her classes were supportive and kind,
and that she could have influence over what people
thought and therefore thought of her.
As a senior, she went, for the second time, to FBLA’s National
convention and competition. She went for public speaking.
At the state level, she was supposed to have been entered in
the impromptu speaking event. She was mistakenly entered
into the prepared speaking category. Within a week of the
state competition, she wrote, practiced and memorized her
speech.
On the night before she left for “State” she came to the WOW
(Wonderful Oregon Wordmasters) Club to practice and get
feedback.
She did a fantastic job and wow’d the WOW club. She was
given helpful feedback that helped her to win second at
State and qualify to go to Nationals.
20
Becky Holm, Area 21 Governor
Many moons ago, in a land far away, an extrovert woman had
a red headed daughter. When that daughter grew up, she
waxed strong and grew in beauty and grace. Alas, she was
vexed with shyness, doubt and lack of confidence.
Isn’t that how stories start? That, to a degree is how it was in
the Holm house.
Kayleen was, and still is, remarkably smart. That is both a
blessing and a curse. She doesn’t tolerate fools gladly and
things come easy to her that don’t to others. Because of that,
she was confident in her abilities, but not confident when it
came to her appearance or her dealings with others.
When she entered high school, she joined Future Farmers of
America (FFA) and Future Business Leaders of America
(FBLA). In FFA, there is a required public speaking
component. In FBLA, it’s an extracurricular club that
competes in business related events, one of which is public
speaking.
Kayleen discovered that she was good at public speaking.
Also that the others in her classes were supportive and kind,
and that she could have influence over what people
thought and therefore thought of her.
As a senior, she went, for the second time, to FBLA’s National
convention and competition. She went for public speaking.
At the state level, she was supposed to have been entered in
the impromptu speaking event. She was mistakenly entered
into the prepared speaking category. Within a week of the
state competition, she wrote, practiced and memorized her
speech.
On the night before she left for “State” she came to the WOW
(Wonderful Oregon Wordmasters) Club to practice and get
feedback.
She did a fantastic job and wow’d the WOW club. She was
given helpful feedback that helped her to win second at
State and qualify to go to Nationals.
20
