Wasilla couple wins speech contests

PALMER — A Wasilla couple swept the top honors in the Yukon Alaska Council of Toastmasters area speech contest in Palmer recently.

Contestants presented five- to seven-minute prepared humorous speeches and two- to three-minute “Table Topics” impromptu speeches.

Meschelle Kolb presented a humorous speech “SPAM.” Her speech recounted a family trip in to the wilderness and the many near-fatal choices. Her speech was supported by the character known as “My Mother-In-Law.”

Brett Kolb won the Table Topics impromptu speech contest when he answered the question why do people go to the top of the Empire State Building to look down?

Rep. Shelley Hughes, a Toastmaster herself, presented the contest awards with Palmer Toastmasters Club Immediate Past President John Rozzi. The Kolbs will represent the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage at the Yukon Alaska Council of Toastmasters Speech Contest in Anchorage Oct. 18.

Results from the Sept. 28 speech contests in Palmer are:

• Table Topics winners: 1. Bret Kolb, Palmer Toastmasters Club; 2. Linda Block, Mat-Su Toastmasters Club; 2. David Driscoll, Palmer Toastmasters Club.

• Humorous Speech winners: 1. Meschelle Kolb, Palmer Toastmasters Club, 2. David Driscoll, Palmer Toastmasters Club; 3. Cheryl Peryear, Mat-Su Toastmasters Club.

If competitive speaking interests you or if you would like to polish your speaking skills for business or socializing, visit a Toastmasters Club meeting. Mat-Su Toastmasters Club meets Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. at Primrose Retirement Home in Wasilla, and the Palmer Toastmasters Club meets at 5:30 p.m., Tuesdays at the MTA building.