John Banuelos, an undergraduate transfer from Pepperdine University and a dinosaur gummy bear enthusiast, represents the Toastmasters Club with great honors. As speech contests are a Toastmasters tradition, each year thousands of Toastmasters’ members compete in Humorous, Evaluation, Tall Tales, Table Topics, and International speech contests. Due to tradition of the Toastmasters Club at the University of La Verne, as well 15,900 other clubs from universities compete annually in area, division and district levels.
This year, John Banuelos, a recent member of the Toastmasters Club at the University of La Verne, had the opportunity to compete in a division level contest – the highest ever to be achieved at the University.
With previous public speaking background, he carried first place honors in an area contest and division contest. Finally, bringing home second place in the final district competition. Unfortunately, he was unable to advance to the semifinal and the World Championship of Public Speaking.
However,because of his go-getter personality, he hopes to achieve the title for the upcoming school year. He withholds integrity and respect for the Toastmasters club on campus and hopes for more University of La Verne students to be inclined to joining for next semester.
He states, “Toastmasters translates really easily to the work force – giving presentations, maintaining professional manners and speaking skills.”
With the scholarly remarks, the Toastmasters club welcomes new members such as students, staff, and alumni to join them next semester in hopes to achieve more honors and awards as a community that fosters growth and professionalism.
Photo credits to Campus Times