20th September 2008, the day started with a bright sunny morning, many people started their usual Saturday morning; however, four of our dearest members had to wake up early to begin their over 300km journey to KDU, Petaling Jaya, accompanied with them, were their nervous and anxious hearts; with only one intention: to represent Vistana Toastmasters Club in Area B4 Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest. For the first time ever, in Vistana Toastmasters Club history!! Yes! They are none other than our dearest Vince Lim and Sabrina Yap who took part in Humorous Speech Contest, and Sarimah and Sharifah in Evaluation Contest.
Contestants had to be at the venue slightly earlier that day in order for the organizing committee to determine the contestants speaking sequence, Sarimah was the first contestant for evaluation contest. I still remembered she told me, “I can feel butterflies in my tummy already.” On the other hand, Vince made use of the time before contest to practice again and again, even on their journey to Kuala Lumpur. No one was able to predict how the results will be, they only hope their presentation will turn out smoothly during the contest.
The Humorous contest began about 2.30pm and Vince was the 3rd contestant. In his speech, titled ‘Honored with Humour’, he shared with us about his fear and dilemma when our Area Governor, Johnson suggested to him to join the humorous speech contest. A usual contestants for KTM (Kuda, Toto & Magnum), Vince took Eugune Ng’s advice to put on ‘a stronger pair’ to conquer his fear and move forward to the contest stage to contest!! He definitely did not take the Humorous Speech contest as easy as contesting in KTM, so in the process of polishing his skills from a humour-less to humourous speaker, he smuggled into a school to practice in front of kids audience, because he believed it would be easier to humour kids; as research says, kids laugh or smile more then 400 times daily; unfortunately he frighten them and made them cried. What next? He was banned from entering the school again…… (Opps! Don’t get me wrong. Vince is a nice guy, I am just sharing some of his speech content. And, feedback from the floor was quite good, audience laughing!!) Sabrina was the last contestant with speech title, Dating Vs. Marriage. She shared with us how a sweet elegant lady mimicked the stuns in Bollywood and Hollywood movies when dating with her boyfriend turned into a ‘fierce aunty’ after married with her hubby and three kids, frequently screaming to discipline them all. (Sabrina, I hope those scenes only happened in your speech though, you don’t look that fierce anyhow…)
The end of Humorous Speech contest, marked the moment of relieve for Vince and Sabrina but also marked show time for Sarimah and Sharifah had begin! After listened to the test speaker, Ong Yi Jieh from Sunway Toastmasters. Evaluation contestants were given 5 minutes for preparation. Sarimah was the first contestant, she stood at the lectern and started saying, “Ong, what more can I say about you?! You name already ONG (means lucky in Chinese)”, which made the whole floor laughed, then she continued on to analyzed good and points for improvement for the speaker in her usual vivid way. Followed by Sharifah as the final contestant delivering words of encouragement to the speaker.
After a series of contest, the moment everyone was waiting for, Results Announcement was the most memorable for all of us from Vistana Toastmasters Club!!! It was a moment of glory for all of us!! All because our very own Sabrina and Vince won the 2nd and 1st runner-up for Humorous Speech Contest; on the other hands, Sarimah won 2nd runner-up for Evaluation Contest!!! Yes, the Contest Chair really announced their names as the winners.
Humorous Speech Contest ResultsChampion:
Tengku Shaifudin (Shah Alam Toastmasters Club)
1st Runner Up:
Vince Lim (Vistana Toastmasters Club)
2nd Runner Up:
Sabrina Yap (Vistana Toastmasters Club)
Evaluation Contest ResultsChampion:
Jessy Chahal (D'Utama Toastmasters Club)
1st Runner Up:
Eugene Ng (D'Utama Toastmasters Club)
2nd Runner Up:
Sarimah Morshidi (Vistana Toastmasters Club)
However, what is the big deal of winning 2nd and 1st Runners-up?! For Vistana Toastmasters Club, winning a trophy not our main focus, being 2nd and 1st Runners-up still a moment of glory, moment of joy and moment of breakthrough. We are still champion in our hearts, because our contestants had conquered their fear, made a big step out there to participate in a contest, first time in their life and first time for Vistana Toastmasters Club. They created a new history to Vistana Toastmasters Club.
Behind the success, it is the special bonding of friendships, encouragements and supports among the members that drive us from a quiet club to a club that finally took a brave step to participate in contest. No forgetting to forward million thanks to our Area Gorvenor, ACS ALB Johnson Yike for encouraging Vistana Toastmasters to participate in the contest. Helpful and constructing inputs from visiting Toastmasters, especially Zaharah, Sue Ding and Sharmini.
Last but no least Vince, Sabrina and Sarimah, Vistana Toastmasters Club is extremely proud of you all! Don’t let this fire of glory slowly fade off with time, together let’s transform it to a powerful energy to drive Vistana Toastmasters to conquer from one peak to another peak. Together we will show that Vistana Toastmasters Club, not only fosters public speaking and leadership skills; but also a club that foster friendships and teamwork.
Pohlin
Proud VPE of
Vistana Toastmasters Club
