Introducing Daniela Freeman

Daniela Freeman

 Fellow Toastmasters we would like to introduce a new contributor to this blog. She shares a love of Toastmasters with us all and is a member of Park Ten Talkers. Fortunately for us she also enjoys writing.
 
Daniela Freeman graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Houston in 2006 with a B.A. in English Literature. We are grateful to have such talent contributing here and we eagerly anticipate her contributions.


Daniela has been a member of Toastmasters since 2007. She joined fresh out of college, with no public speaking experience or formal leadership training. Toastmasters has helped her soar; she has since earned her Advanced Leader Bronze and an Advanced Communicator Bronze.

She has served in a number of club officer roles, and was Area Governor for N-26 this past year, working with the Westlakers, Speak Up 900, Talking Heads, and Gulf Pipeline Speakers Toastmasters clubs.

"I am currently in the process of writing my first book, a combination science fiction and fantasy tale about the ambiguous nature of “good” and “evil” in human beings. "

Daniela works at NACE International, a nonprofit association dedicated to corrosion prevention and control.  She works with their publishing team as an Audience Development Manager and has been in this position for about a year.

Prior to that she worked at NACE as Manager of Technical Committees. During this time, she worked for Linda Goldberg, a DTM who is a member of both Katy Toastmasters and Park 10 Takers. Daniela will testify that Linda is an excellent mentor professionally and as a Toastmaster.

Some more items of interest about Daniela in her own words:

"My hobbies include cooking, drawing/painting, and I am going to be trying my hand (or rather, my foot) at kickboxing soon.  The love of my life (besides my husband) is writing—I am currently in the process of writing my first book, a combination science fiction and fantasy tale about the ambiguous nature of “good” and “evil” in human beings."

Welcome aboard, Daniela !

I Tweet, Therefore I Am #confused

Toasmasters. Okay - we tried. For better or worse here we are.

We now have a Twitter account in the hands of an old dog. New tricks ahead. The message is still meaningful despite the typo.
Nothing ventured. Nothing gained.

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Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest - Winners

Neha Sinha and Michelle Perzan

Neha Sinha and Michelle Perzan proudly pose with their 1st Place Trophies. Neha took the honors for the Humorous Speech category. Michelle was the consensus winner for Best Evaluation.

Allen Prescott took home a 2nd place trophy in each contest.

The evening began when Jody White - DTM delivered a heart speech for the Evaluation contest participants to review, critique and of course Evaluate.

The title of her speech was short and simple: "I Have Learned". Ms White's speech was anything but simple. She brings over fifteen years experience as a Toastmaster to the lectern. She is a Distinguished Toastmaster. That experienced was showcased in a "from the heart" style that was presented with grace, ease and confidence. The audience and the contestants were treated to a range of ideas and concepts that chronicled the impact of the Toastmaster experience on her journey through life.

Jody began with a recent inspiration from one of our members, Lola Jewesimi, that pertained to diet and the chemistry of diets. The speech then moved through more examples of how other Toastmasters inspired her, taught her and continue to do so. The speech was, as they say, food for thought. Pun intended. This author may overuse the phrase but he found it to be profound in its simplicity.

The Evaluator Contestants 

Our contestants were Jeff Morrical CC, Michelle Perzan, Amy Duncan ACB, CL, Allen Prescott, DTM and Shalba Gupta. Jody maintained the same grace, ease and confidence (that is probably among the other things she has learned) as the Evaluators took the stage one by one and offered their appraisals, suggestions and encouragement.

Michelle Perzan walked away with a well deserved First Place Trophy for offering an evaluation of substance and value to Jody. Allen Prescott, DTM took Second Place honors.

The Humorous Speech Contestants

Bryan Clark, Neha Sinha , Peter Gregori, Heleane Stabenau, ACB and Allen Prescott, DTM.


Bryan Clark has positioned himself as a dangerous speaker and seems to relish taking things to the edge. His speech took us somehow through acorns and what to say when your pants are down.

Neha Sinha, with a speech entitled "I Had A Dream" was the winner of this contest. Neha presented a devilish farce, comedy and satire of a Hindu girl standing before the Pearly Gates and reasoning, arguing and persuading with St. Peter !! Free food is mingled in here somewhere.

Peter Gregori insists his lack of recognition in this contest is part of a vast conspiracy to suppress the Revolutionary, Evolutionary Ronco Speech O Matic Speech In A Box.

Heleane Stabenau, ACB shared some of the wonderful moments she has enjoyed while traveling. Her story of the exceptional service and accommodations she experienced while interned, enjoying the life of leisure in Motel Hell.

Allen Prescott, DTM made the case for a Toastmasters version of Miss Manners. His Miss Manners seemed to have a very sharp tongue and a volatile disposition. At times though Allen's Miss Manners seemed to have just the right answer. Allen walked away with the Second Place trophy.

Our First Place winner, Neha Sinha , more than likely will persuade St. Peter if the occasion arises. For this night she had only to convince the judges. She did that very well.

Contest Organizers and Contributors

Our first thank you is to the judges that carefully weigh what is said and how it is said with fairness and impartiality. They do this anonymously. We are grateful for their help and contribution.

Toastmaster: Jonathan Goodwin, CTM.
Chief Judge: Andy Paultannis, CC.
SAA: Lois Rothrock, CC
Timer: Jing Zhang
Ballot Counters: Lorena Spencer, Vrushali Patil
Contest Chair: Debbie Gregori, DTM


Contest Committee

Vrushali Patil, Michelle Perzan, Sher Kadibhai, CC, Debbie Gregori, DTM


Thanks to everyone involved in any way. Let us all extend our congratulations to our winners Neha, Michelle and Allen and wish them the best of luck as they represent Katy Toastmasters in the upcoming area contest. Let's pack the room and cheer them on.

This will take place on Wednesday September 24, 2014 at Memorial City Toastmasters, 920 Memorial City Way, Suite 150 Houston, TX 77024.