Oliver Wendell Holmes the great American physician, poet and writer once said, “It is the province of knowledge to speak, it is the privilege of wisdom to listen”. It could be argued that he was writing specifically about the Speak Easy Toastmasters Speech and Evaluation Contests which were held in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow last Thursday night.
What a night of great speeches presented by great speakers we had. One of the purposes of speech contests is to provide an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient speakers who have benefited by their toastmaster training.
That is certainly what happened as all the skills of great speechmaking were on show.
Pat Sexton with his speech entitled, “ Can We Do It”. Michael Cronin with, “Happiness”. Joe Hassett with, “ Overpopulation, the Real Problem”. Liam Flynn with, “The Anvil of Life” and Ray Ryan Jnr. With “Mobile Phone Hazard”
This was one of these contests where the judges are not to be envied in their job of choosing a winner but a winner had to be chosen and it was Pat Sexton who was victor on the night with Michael Cronin as runner up.
The contestants in the Evaluation Contest were Michael Cronin, Ray Ryan Jnr, Tony O’Regan, Pat Sexton and Marie Fitzpatrick and once again we were treated to an amazingly high standard. The Test Speaker in this contest was Brian McLoughlan from Mullingar Toastmasters with a hilariously funny speech entitled, “Did you hear the one about the….?” Pat Sexton was the eventual winner of this contest with Tony O’Regan as runner up.
Even though in all contests there has to be a winner but in Toastmasters Contests all contestants are winners for the commitment that is put into the preparation of their speeches.
Congratulations to all who took part.
No contest can be a success without the teamwork and attention to detail that is put into the organization of such events and congratulations to Club President Anne Buckley and EVP Ray Ryan and the team on the night. Contest Chair, Sean Corcoran, Topicsmaster, Margaret O’Regan who kept us on out toes with her topics during contest breaks,
Chief Judge, Angela Sheehan and here team who were, Counters, Cait Murray and Mary Moynahan, Timekeepers, Jerry Mulcahy and Michael Walsh and the Judges from the four North Cork Clubs of The Galtees (Mitchelstown), Fáilte (Charleville) and Fermoy Toastmasters.
Pat Sexton represents Speak Easy Toastmasters in the Area Final which will take place in the Charleville Park Hotel on March 27th.
The next meeting of Speak Easy Toastmasters will take place on Wednesday 19th (please note the change of night).
Further information on Speak Easy Toastmasters can be had on our website at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact Club PRO, Sean on 086 6054784
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