It was like a football game, wasn't it? Plenty of build up to the contest, a lot of planning and practicing involved, the The Organising Chairperson of the event, Zahir Ahmad, and his team, deserved a lot of credit for their effort in ensuring that the event went by smoothly. Safe to say, the event was a great success, with the audience ranging from club members, to alumni, to experienced Toastmasters from other clubs, and of course a few non-Toastmaster guests.
The ISTT event consist of two contests: International Speech Contest, and Table Topics Contest.
In the International Speech Contest, contestants are to deliver a prepared speech within 5 to 7 minutes. The contestant is free to select the type of speech and the subject of the speech during his preparation.
Table Topics Contest on the other hand, is an impromptu speech contest where contestants have to speak about a subject that is not known beforehand. Once the topic is given to the contestant, he/she has 1-2 minutes to deliver the speech. The topic for all the contestants are the same in the contest, and to ensure fairness, the contestants will not know of the topic until it is their turn to get on stage.
The contestants for the International Speech Contest are TM Shaun Liew and TM Azwan Jamaluddin, while the contestants for the Table Topics Contest are TM Shaun Liew, TM Azwan Jamaluddin, TM Lim Hong Beng, TM Kent Lim, and TM Subbramanian.
Pictures before the event:
Registration counter
Stage set-up
Audience filling in
The event began with the OC (Organising Chair), Zahir, delivering the opening speech that will set the tone for the rest of the event.
"We are all fishes. All we need is a shark behind us for us to keep striving."
Then, things got a little more serious when the International Speech Contest Chair, Woon Yean Yi, took over, and began the contest.
The first contestant was Shaun, delivering a speech about his change in subject course and being independent.
"When are we going to start believing in ourselves, that we can make the best decision for ourselves?"
The second contestant was Azwan, known for his bizarre topics and uncanny method of delivering it, delivered a speech on inspiration and his journey to look for ideas.
"Inspiration is just there! You just got to be prepared for it when it comes."
Azwan's speech concluded the International Speech Contest. Right after that was a 20 minutes break.
Pictures during the break:
Help yourself, Kelly!
You too, Azwan...
After the break, the Table Topics Contest was commenced by the Table Topics Contest Chair, Dylan Chew. The topic for all the contestants is "If Not Now, Then When?".
The first contestant was TM Subbra, followed by TM Hong Beng, then TM Shaun, TM Kent and TM Azwan.
Pictures during the Table Topics Contest:
Subbra, the first contestant
Hong Beng, showing no signs of nervousness
Shaun returns to the stage
Kent passing the floor back to Dylan
Azwan taking control
Once again, Azwan's speech concludes the contest. After the ballots are processed, the prize giving session began.
The session started off with the announcement of the winners for the Table Topics Contest.
Second runners up: TM Kent Lim
First runners up: TM Azwan Jamaluddin
Winner: TM Shaun Liew
Later, Shaun, fresh from winning the Table Topics Contest, was also announced the winner for the International Speech Contest.
Winner again? Why always me?
The evening of the 23rd of February marks the end of a club contest, and the beginning of a journey for Toastmaster Shaun and Toastmaster Azwan to compete in Area Level contests and beyond. The event also represented a few Toastmasters' first attempt in a contest, and will prove to be a valuable experience in their future undertakings.
And so, two winners emerged from the contest, and they will be strutting their stuff again this coming Saturday (02/02/2013), 2pm, in the Area B5 ISTT contest at Uptown 5, Level 12.
Written by:
Lee Seng Kiat
Lee Seng Kiat
Vice President of Education
Taylor's University Toastmasters Club
On behalf of:
Shaun Liew
Vice President of Public Relations
Taylor''s University Toastmasters Club
Good luck Shaun and Azwan! Make TUTMC proud!
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