Cerritos, CA, April 23, 2013 — Munjen Ng, of Lake Forest, CA, rose above more than 200 local participants to win the District level of the Toastmasters International Speech Contest, representing L.A. and Orange Counties. Ng has qualified to advance to the semifinal rounds of the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking, which will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio on Thursday, Aug. 21.
Ng, a member of Possibilities Unlimited, in Mission Viejo, CA, surpassed fierce competition to win the hearts of the audience and judges alike with his speech, ‘Undeniable’. The speech is about seeking his father’s acceptance for becoming an artist instead of a doctor or lawyer as traditionally expected in the Chinese culture. Ng blended humor and emotion into his story of becoming an artist against his father’s wishes.
Eighty-six district-level winners from around the world will advance to the semifinal round after a six-month process of elimination through club, area and district speech competitions. Their five-to-seven-minute speeches are judged on content, organization, gestures and style.
“Toastmasters speech contests are another way to build your confidence, because you sharpen your skills and speak to many different audiences,”says Ng. Ng is a footwear designer for Oakley in Foothill Ranch, CA. He joined Toastmasters to become a better speaker and leader at work and in the community.
Amy Oakes of the Pasadena Presbyterian Church Toastmasters took second place with her speech entitled “When PTSD Comes Home”. In her speech she talks about the reality of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In third place was Gary Penn from the OCCN Speakers Forum with his speech entitled, “Carrots, Cupcakes, and Coffee”.
Winning the Table Topics Contest was Louise Hyland from Rancho Speech Masters Toastmasters. Second place went to Erica Beggan from the OCCN Speakers Forum, and Renee Asolas from LA County Orators finished in third place.
Photos by Linda and Richard Daugherty