Two Contestants, Two Winners

Also in the photos: David Martin, Lt. Governor Education and Training, Greg Fox, Area 61 Governor and Jacquelyne Griffin, Division F Governor

Our very own Tammy Bailey did an awesome job as she led the Area 61 contest as the Toastmaster. Several members of Afterburners were present to support our two contestants, including Steven Thorn who came all the way from Oklahoma and Theresa Eller’s husband Scott. Tom Brents was the club’s Tall Tales Speech contest winner but was unable to compete due to a family emergency. Hunter Allen filled in at the last minute to represent our club in that category and did an amazing job. “Woo Hoo” was his battle cry and from now on Hunter will be known as the”Dragon Hunter.” He told about his journey to defeat a fierce dragon and what happened when he came face-to-face with the mighty beast. Hunter was the clear winner and took home the first place trophy.

Mack stood his ground as he competed in the International Speech contest and came away victorious. He grabbed his audience as he presented his speech “Small Things with Great Love.” We are proud of both Hunter and Mack and will be looking to support them at the Division F contest on Saturday, April 24th.

Pat Quick

Food, Fun, Tall Tales and Great Love

You know when you come to an Afterburners club contest you will be well fed and entertained. This event was no exception. We had our normal spread of great food and a line-up of talented speakers.

Winning the Tall Tales Contest was Tom Brents. Tom told us a big tale titled “A Dangerous Bit of Shade,” about when he was training for the Olympics and leaned up against the wrong tree to get a little rest. He told us how he was taken hostage and held inside a huge mansion. He was interrogated by a couple of mean characters and feared for his life. Eventually he gathered his strength and used his keen senses and skills to escape and finally elude his captors. The twist in the story was that this mansion was located in Tom’s neighborhood and was the reason why many neighbors had gone missing. I don’t know about you, but I am going to think twice about attending another one of Tom’s Christmas parties! You never know if those neighbors are still around.

Next was the International Speech Contest which was won by Mack Mercer. Mack inspired us with “Small Things with Great Love.” He told us about how his mother and father took 5 cousins into their family after a horrible tragedy. Adding the 5 cousins, Mack’s two siblings and Mack made a total kid count of eight and with only one bathroom! We remember Mack singing a little song “2, 4, 6, 8 now the bathroom’s a longer wait.” My favorite part of Mack’s speech was about his brother Richard who used to sleepwalk right off the top bunk bed. Richard dreamed he was diving into a pool filled with water but instead dove onto the hard terrazzo tile floor. This talent served Richard well in life because later he was hired at Euro Disney to dive off stagecoaches while performing in the Wild West shows. Richard continues to entertain audiences at Disney and has been there for 17 years. Mack’s story reminded us that we may not be able to accomplish big things, but we can accomplish small things with great love.

Congratulations Tom and Mack! Both will represent Afterburners in the Area Contest on Saturday, March 20th.


Pat Quick

April 6: What did you miss tonight? FREE ICE CREAM!

Congratulations to Benson V, Nick Colón and DeWayne Ivey on their induction tonight into Afterburners, and special congratulations to Nick for giving his Ice Breaker and winning Best Speaker!

If you weren't at the meeting tonight, please know that we missed you very much. The club really isn't the same without you. Mentors, be sure to reach out to your fellow club members and let them know how much they add to (and get from) the meeting when they are in attendance.

The schedule for the next 4 weeks has been posted on the web site. As always, if you have a scheduling conflict, give the Toastmaster for that meeting as much advance notice as possible, and let me know so I can get you on the agenda for a different date.

Tammy Bailey, DTM

VP Education

Mar 23: What you missed at last night's meeting . . .

What an incredible meeting! Of course we missed YOU, but guess what YOU missed! Only THREE new members, that's all!

Nick Colón, who visited us last week, decided to join this week, and he'll give his Ice Breaker speech very soon. DeWayne Ivey, whom you might remember from our Christmas party at Mi Cocina, came back to visit, and also joined tonight. Benson Varghese (say "Var Geese") came to us on the recommendation of a friend with advanced communication skills. She gave Toastmasters the credit, and Benson tracked us down to our website.

We're extremely excited to have them join our wonderful Afterburners family, and we want to introduce them to everyone. So come on, EVERYONE! Come back to celebrate our 24th Anniversary next week, March 30. There'll be food and fun (and probably some new member inductions), but most important is your opportunity to welcome these newcomers and share what Afterburners means to you.

The speaking schedule is posted on the website. As always, it's a living document, capable of changing to suit our members' needs. If you have a schedule conflict, let me know, or contact the Toastmaster for the meeting in question.

Tammy Bailey, DTM
Afterburners VP Ed

PS: As you can see from the photo above, we also got to see Tammy's temples, which was a first for most of us.

Why I am an Afterburners Toastmaster

When I joined Afterburners Toastmasters, I was eager to gain experience from public speaking.  As I participated in the different roles, meeting after meeting, I began to notice a confidence in me I didn’t know I had. One day, as I was giving a presentation at school, one of my classmates congratulated me and told me I presented and spoke really well. It was at that moment that I realized the value in my commitment to this club. Afterburners Toastmasters has helped me control my fear of public speaking, it has given me confidence to speak up more frequently in public, and it has helped me improve my communication skills.  Not only have I benefited from being able to learn from all the talent and gifts other members have, I feel at home and welcomed through their friendship. 

I advise anyone who is looking for a public speaking club to question what you hope to get out of this type of organization. If what you’re looking for is what I found, then come and be a part of Afterburners Toastmasters.

Saraí Garcia