Speaking Class Brings Teens Out of Their Shells

The dozen students gathered in an airy room at Cooper Opportunity High School in San Pedro squirm uncomfortably as their morning session on leadership and speaking skills begins.

They sit in a circle: No one’s eyes can escape those of any other. Each student knows he or she will be called upon to stand and speak.

These are difficult circumstances for this group of teen-agers, who agree that one of their common bonds is a lack of self-confidence.

Students land at Cooper after frequent truancy from their home schools, drug use or affiliation with gangs.

But a Youth Leadership Program recently introduced at the school may be helping them turn their lives around.

Coordinated by Toastmasters, a nonprofit international organization whose members practice public speaking, the program teaches students how to confidently articulate their thoughts and feelings. Students meet one hour a week for eight weeks.

On this morning, several students are asked to present a personal story.

Tommy Williams of Gardena begins by telling the group of his entrepreneurial ambitions. Then he recounts the time he and some friends were shot at. “But that’s pretty normal,” he said.

Later, Toastmasters coordinator Sandy Gilbert introduces a game of “table talk.”

Put on the spot, Heather Knouse, who lives in Harbor City, stands to give a detailed description of the evening gown she would wear to the Academy Awards. As she sits back down, she throws a sly sideways glance at the boy beside her who found her speech amusing.

Toastmasters coordinator Susan McIntosh said the Youth Leadership Program has been successful at schools all over Los Angeles. Teachers see leaps in the confidence and abilities of their students, she said.

Cooper English teacher Jill Birkhimer said her students, who are “not motivated kids,” have come out of their shells.

“In the beginning, they weren’t even sure if they wanted to finish school,” Birkhimer said. “Now all of a sudden we’re hearing that they want to go to college.”

McIntosh said the attention given to the Cooper students by members of Toastmasters and by guest speakers has a lot to do with the apparent change in attitudes.

“These kids are not used to getting positive attention,” she said. “They’re just amazed that working people are taking time out of their day to come and help them out.”

Heather, 17, who has been at Cooper for two years, said the class has helped her feel much more comfortable around people.

“I want to be a teacher,” said Heather, “so I have to learn to get up and talk.”

On this morning, the students responded warmly to Rafer Owens, 28, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who grew up in Compton. He was invited to speak because he works with at-risk children.

“Each of you can find someone to blame for your not making it, but that’s not what life’s about,” Owens said. “You have to say, ‘So what? I’m still going to make it.’ ”