Toastmasters International is pleased to announce Linda Salzer of Cambridge and member of Clifton-Park Halfmoon Toastmasters Club; James Brooks of Ballston Spa and member of the KAPL Toastmasters Club; David Kolman of Niskayuna and member of GE Schenectady Speakers Club; Lele Luan of Clifton Park and  member of Clifton-Park Halfmoon Toastmasters Club as the Capital Region’s finalists for Toastmaster International’s Area speech contests.

Salzar stepped out of her comfort zone at the Area 53 International Speech Contest delivering her speech “The Perfect Weekend Ribbon” describing how, as she trained her dog for competition, she learned lessons for her own life.  Brooks wowed the assembled crowd at the Area 54 Tall Tales Speech Contest with a story of how replacing an appliance was less convenient than expected, and surprisingly painful.  Brooks’ speech “Clean Your Room!” served as an amusing warning about replacing an oven and lessons we can draw to our daily lives. Kolman’s Area 54's International speech “Don’t Let the World Pass You By” described how a favorite music album can be a dear friend during carefree and careworn days, and everything in between. Luan’s Area 53's Tall Tales Speech  “Lost on Journey” recanted his experience of airline travel with strange layovers and help from an unexpected source.

All Area contestants will be advancing to the Division E Contest with sights on competing at the Toastmasters International District 53 Conference to be held in Springfield, MA on May 6, 2023.

The Toastmasters International Speech contest began over 85 years ago and is the world’s largest speech contest, involving over 30,000 participants from over 140 countries.  Advancing from club to area, then division and district, it culminates in the World Championship of Public Speaking held annually at the Toastmasters International Convention.  This year’s International Convention will be held in Nassau, Bahamas August 16-19 in a hybrid format.

Toastmasters International (TI) is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs and grooms club members into qualified speech contestants. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, the organization's membership is approximately 280,000 in more than 14,700 clubs in 144 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.

Several Clubs across the Capital Region meet in person, online, or in a hybrid fashion. Guests are always welcome to experience a meeting and see what Toastmasters is about. Visit Toastmasters.org and select “Find a Club” to find a Club that best suits your needs.