Kathy Gryta, left, and Elizabeth Hinson were winners in the Rise-n-Shine Toastmasters competition. They will represent the local club at an upcoming area Toastmasters International competition. (Photo by Kim Hilsenbeck)
by KIM HILSENBECK
Glossophobia; the term sounds scary. And for anyone who suffers from it, scared is exactly how they feel when standing in front of other people and speaking.
Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills, helps.
Founded in 1924, Toastmasters International is a club that provides encouragement to people who want to overcome their fear of public speaking in a mutually supportive and nonjudgmental environment.
The organization now has more than 13,000 clubs — including one in Buda — with 270,000 members in 116 countries.
On Feb. 29, the Rise-n-Shine Toastmasters Club held its International Speech and Evaluation Contest. The winners will represent the local club at the area contest later this month. Winners will go on to the division and district competitions in April.
The Rise-n-Shine Toastmasters competition winners were:
• Evaluation Contest Winner: Elizabeth Hinson – 1st place; Andrew Gessert – alternate
• International Speech Contest Winner: Kathy Gryta – 1st place; JB Kolodzey – alternate
Rise-n-Shine Toastmasters meets at 7:05 a.m. every Wednesday at the Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union at 5045 E. Goforth Road in Buda. The building can be accessed from the northbound access road of Interstate 35.
