Patty LaSorsa takes the Gold in Toastmasters Area Level International Speech Contest

SPARTA, N.J. - April 20, 2014 - PRLog -- Toastmasters (http://www.toastmasters.org/)' International Speech Contest is building momentum.  The contest began locally with the First of Sussex Toastmasters club level contest on February 25^th, won by Patty LaSorsa with a speech that many of us can relate to – “Invisible Scars.”  In true Toastmasters fashion, Patty skillfully guided the listeners through the twists and turns of adolescence, to those all-too-familiar moments that change our lives forever.

Patty continued on to the Area level contest on March 25^th in Denville, New Jersey, competing against the winners of 3 other Toastmasters clubs in Northwestern New Jersey.  First of Sussex Toastmaster Patty LaSorsa walked away with the gold again!

The International Speech contest requires contestants to present a five-to seven-minute speech in English on any topic. Judging criteria include speech content, originality, organization, gestures, style and timing. Participants must be age 18 or older, be club members in good standing and have already delivered six Toastmasters speeches from their Toastmasters Competent Communicator manual.

Area Governor, Debra M. Hollinrake says, “I couldn’t have been more thrilled to see Patty win the Best Speaker award at the Area level.  As Area Governor and Contest Co-Chair, my authority was only to run the contest so the judging would be impartial.  You never know how the judges will vote, and it was an absolute delight to announce Patty LaSorsa from my own club as International Speech Area Contest Winner.”

Patty’s next challenge will be at the Division level contest on Tuesday, April 29^th, at 6:00 pm in East Hanover, New Jersey.  The Division winner will next compete at the District level on May 18^th at the Toastmasters Conference at the Morristown Hyatt in Morristown, NJ.  May’s District level International Speech Contest winner will then compete for the biggest prize of all:  World’s Best Speaker, at the International Speech Contest attended by thousands of participants from all over the world in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in August 2014.

About First of Sussex Toastmasters

First of Sussex Toastmasters has been meeting in Sparta since 2007. They provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. They are the local chapter of Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. For more information, please call (570) 832-4877 or visit the club web site at http://www.firstofsussextoastmasters.org.