Penang Altera Toastmasters Club International Speech & Table Topics Contest - Summary and Photos

Penang Altera Toastmasters Club held its inaugural International Speech and Table Topics Contest on 9^th of March 2010. This event attracted a roomful of audience, comprising of fellow Alterians, as well as a good number of visitors from Intel Penang Toastmasters Club. Seven Penang Altera Toastmasters took up the challenge of the contests – 3 for International Speech and 4 for Table Topics. The 3 guest judges for the contests were Division N Governor, Koay Kah Hin, CC, ALS; Area N3 Governor Karen Teh, ACB, ALB; and Area N6 Governor Terence Lee, ACS, ALB.

The event started on time at 6.15pm. After the call to order by the Sergeant-At-Arms, Yun Mei, and a brief opening speech by the Organizing Chair, Mei Yee, the Contest Chair, Jeremy Lee, took over the stage. Jeremy read out the International Speech contest rules, contestant qualification rules and finally the contest began for real. Hui Leang Ong, CC; Jiunn Wen Chan, CC; and Sherine Ang, CC took their turns and gave their very best, putting on impressive performances. Hui Leang gave an entertaining speech on her aunt’s adventures with Facebook and technology, Jiunn Wen gave a motivational speech on how to lead your life and reach your dreams, and Sherine gave a convincing plea to save Mother Earth and the environment with 5 simple steps. The crowd listened in rapt attention, laughing, responding and cheering the speakers.

There was a 30-minutes dinner break in the Altera cafeteria, and the Table Topics contest commenced with Jeremy performing his role as Contest Chair, reading out the obligatory rules. The Table Topics contestants were taken out of the room and called in one by one to take their turns at answering the Table Topic prepared by the Chief Judge, Terence Lee. Kok Kiang Hea, Joehan Keong, CC, Kok Tung Lee and Ashley Ng took their turns, giving very different responses to the same Table Topic. The Table Topics contest demonstrated quick-thinking and elicited smooth responses from the contestants.

Finally, the moment of truth came. The audience waited eagerly to know the results of the contest, drumming on the tables and chairs. The Table Topics contest results were announced first, followed by the International Speech contest results. The winners are:

Table Topics

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Champion: Joehan Keong, CC

1^st Runner Up: Kok Kiang Hea

International Speech

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Champion: Jiunn Wen Chan, CC

1^st Runner Up: Sherine Ang, CC

The contest drew to an end with the handing out of souvenirs and certificate of appreciation to all role players for the day. The contest winners will proceed to compete with other club winners in the Area N6 contest, to be held in Altera Penang on April 10.

The audience eagerly awaiting the start of the contest

The Table Topics winners. From left: Contest Chair Jeremy Lee, Champion Joehan Keong, CC, 1^st Runner Up Kok Kiang Hea, Club President Tik Liang Ng.

The International Speech winners. From left: Contest Chair Jeremy Lee, Champion Jiunn Wen Chan, CC, 1^st Runner Up Sherine Ang, CC, Club President Tik Liang Ng

After the contest, group comprising of Intel Toastmasters members, the 3 guest judges and Penang Altera Toastmasters Club members.

Another view of the audience watching Sherine’s delivery of her speech.

Regards,

Leong Mei Yee, VPPR of Penang Altera Toastmasters Club