Orlando Conquerors Host Annual Scholarship Contest

Why would ANY Toastmaster Club have a 50/50 drawing at every single meeting?  Well, the Orlando Conquerors Club has a GREAT reason!  The funds collected are put toward the Earl K. Wood Scholarship Award. 

Every year, students from many of Orange County’s schools are given an opportunity to “speak for their future”.  They are invited to compete at our Club in front of a panel of distinguished judges.  The grand prize is a donation toward their tuition which will be presented to their accepting college.  Earl K. Wood is not only a member of Orlando Conquerors Toastmasters for over 50 years, but he is also the Orange County Tax Collector for more than 40 years.  His dedication to education and personal advancement is well known throughout Orange County. 

Ten incredibly talented and ambitious students competed at the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando on Monday, April 28, 2008.  The opening keynote address was given by Life Member and Past District Governor, Karl Righter, DTM.  Karl injected his well-known humor throughout his talk to emphasize the importance of education and our Club’s commitment to support the scholarship fund.
 

The students’ career goals ranged from attorney to civil rights activist to Disney “imagineer” to biologist and everything in between.  Their speeches were judge on the same level that International Speech contestants are judged in Toastmasters International.  Organization, appearance, relevance to audience, body language, vocal quality and more are some of the criteria in which they were rated.

Although all students put their hearts into their presentations, in any such competition, only one can walk home with the prize.  That outstanding student was Camilo Rojas.  The young man clearly stated his points while commanding the room with his confidence.  He had very limited use of notes and was able to include other students’ career goals to encourage persistence in achieving goals.  Congratulations on a job well done!

Later in the evening, Earl K Wood gave a heartfelt commendation to the students for their performances.  He only wished that he had ten scholarships to give each of them.  Division Governor Scott Hoehn II, DTM presented the award to Camilo, then encouraged all students to join a Toastmasters Club as one of the best steps toward their future.  Governor Hoehn said that the finest gift in life that his father, Scott Hoehn Sr gave him was an introduction to the world of Toastmasters.  “It will give you an edge over your fellow students and every obstacle you encounter in life”, Hoehn said.