Page 8 - 2017.May Voices

style, like meeting a friend for lunch, but that’s year we built a set of articulating dragon wings
difficult to do on stage for the 10 time. I used for my daughter’s Halloween costume that runs
th
to view the audience as one big mass of people off CO2 canisters. This year I built a smoke-ring
but now I make an effort to acknowledge the cannon for a school science fair that had kids
individuals and their reaction to me. Stage lined up all night to try it out. I always wanted
fright tends to lock you up in a way that prevents to do those things as a child so it’s rewarding to
you from experiencing your audience’s feel- be that source of inspiration for kids now that
ings. Opening yourself up to their emotions I’m an adult.
can help calm your nerves and enhance your My wife and I will be celebrating our 20
th
stage presence. wedding anniversary in June and we’re looking
for some place special to go.
On the day of competition, what’s your After my District 7 win, we decided we’d

favorite way to prepare for your seven take a few extra days in Vancouver, B.C. for
minutes on stage? our anniversary no matter the outcome of
the contest, but it would be an extra special
celebration with a world championship trophy!
How have you used the skills learned

Alexis Mason joined Toastmasters in 2000.
She is a member of three clubs: Leaders Edge,
Clark County, and Thrill of the Quill. She is
currently the club president for both Leaders
Edge and Thrill of the Quill. Alexis served as
the 2006-07 District Governor.

Why did you originally join
Toastmasters?
I attended my first Toastmasters meeting
I give myself plenty of time to get there, casu- because my husband Dave Mason invited me to
ally find my way up front to see what the room come listen to one of his speeches. I believe this is
looks like from that perspective (multiple times still the best way to encourage a friend or family
if possible) and don’t dwell on the speech like it’s member to check it out. We were both retired,
a pending dental procedure. I try to think of it but we had committed to learning something new
like anything else I have to do that day; going to together every year. This seemed like a good fit,
the grocery store, making dinner, whatever. Also particularly since I was self conscious and didn’t
I only run through the speech once or twice in want to live out my life feeling uncomfortable
my mind just to prove to myself it will be there in social situations.
when I need it.

What do you do for relaxation? Favorite
foods? Tell us about Quint – what makes
you tick?

I have a passion for tinkering and creating
things you can’t buy in a store. It helps me
be a good engineer but has also led to some
interesting home projects. Two summers ago
my kids and I turned their little red wagon into
a solar-powered electric go-cart. Then we built
an automated water rocket launcher like the
one at OMSI that launches 2-liter bottles. Last

8 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 11 MAY, 2017