Safi H. Jannaty DAMMAM — The Creative Gavel Club, a club formed under Area 25 of Toastmasters International, held a contest for its members recently at the Kanoo Building to mark the start of the summer vacation. Twenty-five Gaveliers, aged between 8 and 13, years dazzled the audience with their public speaking abilities. The contestants, brimming with confidence, showed off their oratory skills on a number of subjects. Asif Akhter, a Toastmaster and governor elect for Area 42, was the chief judge, who judged the contestants alongside senior toastmasters. The contest which was spread in three categories was ably conducted by three Gaveliers: Aisha Perincheri, Vaishali Mani and Ankita Nair. DTM Dr. Shaikh Shakil Anjum, Governor of Division F in which Area 25 falls, graced the occasion with his presence and inspired children to perform confidently and without any fear of losing. Taha Safi Hyder won the first prize in the category of the contest and Ayesha Razia Mohammed Mustafa and Syed Zaid Albeez were the first and second runners up respectively. In the second category, Isha Ahmed bagged the first prize while Syed Omar Albeez and Maryam Safi Hyder were the first and second runners up respectively. In the third category, Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed Mustafa was awarded the first prize. Sadiqa Yasin and Vaishnavi held the second and third positions respectivley. Creative Gavel Club, a brain child of Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) N.C. Mani, a dedicated Toastmaster, who served as governor for Area 25 during 2013-2014, was started this year in January with 40 participants. With the active support and able mentoring by senior Toastmasters of the three clubs under Area 25, the club has turned many of the participants into seasoned orators. The parents of the participants in the Creative Gavel Club found this platform so appealing that it encouraged Mani to launch one more club “Vision Toastmasters Club” under Area 25 two months ago. — SG
