Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Mauricia Garcia of Council Toastmasters Club won first place in the international speech contest, held as part of the annual speech conference organized by the Area 7 of Toastmasters Clubs in Jeddah recently. In her spellbinding speech, Maria demonstrated her speaking prowess that generated an overwhelming applause from the audience. Khaled Baharetha and Cijo Mathew secured second and third places in the segment respectively in which Mohammed Sameer was the contest master. Guest of Honor Abdullah Filimban of Saudi Aramco delivered the keynote speech. Filimban, the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) who spearheaded in the formation of many Toastmasters clubs in the western region said in his inspiring speech, “If you have the perseverance to pursue your passion, no one can hinder your progress.” The Division G Governor DTM Saifudheen delivered a motivational message in which he underscored the advantage of dreaming big. Taher Afzal Subhan, the Area 7 Governor, gave an introductory speech. Mohammed Haneef KM was the contest chair while Robert Perez Jr. led the show. Assistant Area 7 Governor Mosleh Al Emrani gave the vote of thanks. All segments of speeches displayed superb communications and speaking skills of the Toastmasters. The first place winner in the humorous speech segment was Qaisar Javaid of Green Toastmasters Club. Karthikeyan Nagarajan and Atique Shirazi secured the second and third places respectively. Gino Ruperez led the contest. Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) TM Club's Cijo Mathew bagged the first prize in the table topics contest while Atique Shirazi got the second place and Sam Asimwas came third. Basheer Ambalavan was the contest master. In the speech evaluation category, Rayan Mohtasib of Eagle club, Muhammed Kunhi and Atique Shirazi were the winners. The target speaker was master Ammar Ilyas, a student of Sri Lankan International School Jeddah mesmerized the audience by his style of delivery and deft command of the language. Johnnygene Padillo was the contest master. The first and second place winners in all four categories will represent area seven in the division G contest, scheduled for March 14 in Jeddah. The Area 7 comprised of ALJ, Council, Eagle, Great, Green and Mawhiba Toastmasters clubs.
