Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — They were loud and clear, their body language showing confidence and poise, their intonation varying with their expression. They were the girls of International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) competing at the graduation ceremony of the Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program at IISJ boys' section auditorium. This was the culmination of a grueling five-month training conducted by Galaxy of Stars Advanced Toastmasters Club & IISJ Ladies Toastmasters Club supported by TM Shafiqur Rehman. A record 134 girls completed the Youth Leadership Program. Whether it was a table topic test where the girls had to deliver an impromptu speech on “What will I do if I am caught in a dangerous situation” or the international speech competition where they had to present prepared speeches, the young leaders excelled in oratory. Their thoughts well-organized, the content thought-provoking, their speeches peppered with anecdotes and humor. In attendance were Indian Consul General B.S. Mubarak, the chief guest of the evening; member IISJ higher board Hasan Ghias, principal Syed Masood Ahmed, vice principal IISJ girls section Farahdunnisa, headmistress Rita Sharma, IISJ management committee member Najeeb Hashmi, distinguished Toastmasters Joey Villanueva and Tess Villanueva, Urdu Academy president Jamal Qadri, Toastmasters Khaleel Ahmed, Mufid Mustafa, Shafiqur Rehman, Osman Omar, Galaxy of Stars Adv. Toastmasters Club members Aqeel Jamil (president ), Samia Aqeel Khan (vice president), IISJ ladies Toastmasters club members Zareen Taj (president ), Zainab Mulji (vice president ), Sabiha Akhter, Fathima Sherin, Riasa Jabeen. Winners for the evaluation round were Syeda Farheen Fatima, Merlin Susan George (runner-up) and Khadeja Nazreen Haris (2nd runner-up). Winners for the Table Topics round were Iman Aqeel Khan, Asma Zain (runner-up) and Qurrat Al Ein (2nd runner-up) Winners for the International Speech round were Abida Abdullah, Humera Jabeen (runner-up) and Merlin Susan George (2nd runner-up). On the occasion, leaders of the first Gavel Club (Toastmasters Club for below 18 group) for IISJ girls were installed. They were: President GAV Dua Habib Majid, VP Education GAV Iman Aqeel Khan, VP Membership GAV Marlyn Susan George, VP Public Relations GAV Asma Mohammed, Secretary GAV Fathima Shirin, Treasurer GAV Asma Zain, Sergeant-At-Arms GAV Sharika Balachandran. The ceremony was competently compèred by TM Samia Aqeel Khan. The chief judge, who announced the results, was TM Shafiqur Rehman.
