On the Town: Winning speech touts relevance of little gestures
In her competition speech, Amira Al Hadeed stresses that it’s not just the big things we do that make a difference but the smaller things that can have significant impact.
That philosophy won over the judges when Amira competed against four other high school students in the Glendale Noon Rotary Club’s speech contest on Thursday at the Embassy Suites in Glendale.
Winning was a shock for Amira.
“It’s unbelievable!” she said. “I’m still shaking. I can’t believe it. This is amazing!”
Councilwoman Paula Devine served as the spokeswoman for the panel of judges, who were impressed with the caliber of the students’ speeches, she said.
“Your deliveries were fascinating, some were very animated, some were quite stoic,” she said. “The content was amazing. We could tell you had done research on your speech. For you, being high school seniors, I think you have a very wonderful future in public speaking and don’t ever be afraid to get up in front of a group to speak because you all have a special talent.”
Amira said she decided to enter the speech contest because she wanted to become a more confident person.
“I’m a bit shy and timid at times, but by doing this, I want to make sure I can speak out when I want to say something and make sure people can hear me,” she said. “I don’t want to be in the background. I want to be out there.”
Amira’s English teacher, Holly Ciotti, told her about the speech competition and encouraged her to compete. Ciotti thought Amira had a good chance at winning.
“I felt she was very strong because her content was very focused and specific, and her delivery was beautifully polished,” she said.
Rotary president Armen Khalafyan said he was amazed by all five student speakers, he said.
“This is the second year we are doing this,” he said. “Last year, we did a music contest, but this year, we did music and speech. The winners will go to the district level and compete with 63 other Rotarian winners. The winners will receive scholarships.”
Chairing the contest was past president Elizabeth Manasserian.
Club treats youngsters to holiday party
The West Glendale Gateway Kiwanis Club kept up a 40-plus year tradition by hosting a holiday party for 26 youngsters from its adopted school, Jefferson Elementary.
Sam Engel Jr., coordinator of service projects, said the event had all the usual trimmings of the season and was held at the Boy Scout headquarters.
Members sang carols with the children, and each child got a picture taken with Santa Claus. Member Bill James and his wife, Sharon, purchased gifts for the kids, including LED flashlights. McDonald’s catered the hamburgers and French fries. The Kiwanis provided delicious desserts.
Kiwanis members played games with the kids and helped them decorate a Christmas tree.
“Kids have told us they’ve never gotten to decorate a tree,” Engel said.
This is one of four major service projects the club sponsors each year. In addition to the holiday party, members organize the annual Middle School Track Meet at Glendale High School, a Babe Herman Baseball Tournament at the Babe Herman Field and a bicycle safety program at Jefferson Elementary School.
The club raises more than $10,000 a year through two fundraisers.
Wilbur Gin is the president this year.
Rotary Club feeds float decorators
The Crescenta-Cañada Rotary Club once again brought nourishment to those decorating the La Cañada float prior to the Tournament of Roses Parade.
The service project is what the members call “Feed the Floaters.” Chairwoman Phyllis Konrad of La Crescenta secured enough Italian food for more than 150 people. This year, the Rotary Club purchased the pizzas and lasagna from La Cañada Imports.
Early-birds Peter and Irene Keller received the food and set up the buffet tables. The club’s Boy Scout Troop 594, under leadership of Scoutmasters Howard Masuda and Paul Lee, assisted with serving. About 20 Boy Scouts were diligent at keeping the buffet lines moving. As a special treat, Scoutmaster Lee provided cases of Xin Jiang pears from Tibet.
The Rotary Club had many guests helping them, including Mary Kroening, Sharon Watkins and her daughter, Noele, along with grandchildren Chase and Kaylee. Others attending were Jim and Jeanne Wallace, Julie Little, William Reiter, Sandy Engler and Robyn Petschauer. Also attending was Konrad’s daughter Debby and her family including, Chuck, Andrew, Julie and Madie Pierson. Parents of the Boy Scouts also attended.
As a thank-you each year, the La Canada Tournament of Roses Assn. sends a photograph of the float and a thank-you note to the club, Konrad said.
The highlight of the project was when Konrad joined a small group for a tour of the float.
“They tell us what kind of flowers they are using and what kind of glue they use, so it’s really interesting,” she said. “So, when you see it on New Year’s Day, you feel like you’re a part of it.”
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.