Re-claiming the Marathon Spirit

As sport and spirit come together this Boston Marathon 2014, many feelings touch so many of us and send out messages of "Onward," "Forward," and "Hope for Peace" with a world energized with a simple guide -- treat others how you would want them to treat you. Now, I recall to mind, the speech delivered by President Obama last year after a terrorist attack set off bombs causing destruction, injuries on athletes and fans and spreading violence and fear throughout the city. Extracts of what the President said follows: It was a beautiful day to be in Boston. And then, in an instant, the day's beauty was shattered. But, we also come to gather today to reclaim that state of grace; to reaffirm that the spirit of this city and the spirit of this country shall remain strong. You've shown us, BOSTON, that in the face of violence, AMERICANS will lift up what's good. We will choose to save and to comfort and to heal. Anyone who does harm to our people ... we will hold them accountable, and yes, they will face justice. And every third Monday in April, the MARATHON welcomes people from all around the world-- a gathering of men and women of every race/ every religion/ every shape/ every size -- a multitude represented by all those flags that flew over the finish line. That's why a bomb can't beat us. We carry on. We strive. We build and we work and we love -- and we raise our kids to do the same. And this time on the third Monday in April, the world will return to this great American city to run harder than ever and cheer ever harder for the BOSTON MARATHON. Bet on it! MARATHON.

Status of April Contests Finals 2014

This year 2014 we have canceled the Boston Finals for the Public Speaking Forum due to insufficient entries. Still, The Forum will aim to resume in the future when the friends of Speaking American and I find a solution to grow by blending common sense ways to continue offering Public Speaking opportunities. Stay in Touch. Visit our blog and see new features on "how to" communicate effectively. Ask your Teacher about doing some Public Speaking at school. Let us know. How did you like it? How did the audience react? Would you like to do some more Public Speaking? It's that Easy. Over 2,000 elementary students participated in Public Speaking contests over 15 years hosted by Speaking American. You may be added in the future. Think about it. Maybe you will prefer High School or even University. Things happen when people are ready.

TAKE ADVANTAGE NOW

Public Speaking Forum hosted by SPEAKING AMERICAN for Grades 3-8 statewide in Massachusetts is available to Teachers for their students. Contestants for Public Speaking sign-up and the Teacher Co-ordinator submits the student names by Friday, February 14, 2014. Send E-mails to: heidiusaesl@yahoo.com E-message must included: (1) Printed Name of Student,(2)Teacher's Name and School Address, and (3) For Grade 5: Title of their 1-Minute Talk. GRADE 3 and GRADE 4: 1-Minute Talk_Required Talk is the following-- What does America mean to you and what can you do in your own community to make you proud you live in the USA? GRADE 5 Students The student is free to select a subject for the 1-Minute Talk with Teacher guidance. HERE'S HOW IT WORKS-- THE TIME FRAMEWORK Feb. 14-- Postmark deadline for completed list of school students entering the Public Speaking contest; March Week of 3-7-- School co-ordinator arranges the 1st Round of recitation at school. March 7 deadline-- Send the Results: Winner and Runner-up (and ties if warranted). No fees are required to enter the contests. April 6: Finals at Boston Public Library (BPL). Yes, there are prizes. On Sundays, BPL opens at 1:00 p.m. Our Program starts promptly at 2:00 p.m. It ends around 4:30 p.m. Enjoy the Forum. For details for Grades 6-7-8, send E-messaging to the address above. The TIME FRAMEWORK is exactly the same as posted above. Thank you.

DOING NOTHING, RIGHT NOW?

Find a VALUE. ADD Confidence building.
Make PROGRESS. Share the SHOW. Go
for a PRIZE. Try PUBLIC SPEAKING in
                       Forum 2014
hosted by Speaking American statewide in
Massachusetts with contests offered to
Grades 3-4-5 featuring 1-Minute Talks;
Grade 6 and Grade 7 using 2-Minute Talks
and Grade 8 speaking  two languages--
English and a new language together for
a 3-Minute Talk.
          Ask your Teacher at school
                           before
                  THANKSGIVING!
 Comment below and thanks.

Getting a heads-up for Public Speaking Contests 2014

As usual with Public Speaking programs hosted by Speaking American, we have a required title for the 1-Minute Talks for Grades 3 and 4. For 2014 the required title is this: What does America mean to you and what can you do in your own community to make you proud you live in the USA. Grade 5 contestants select their own title for a 1-Minute Talk. Grade 6 contestants have the option to speak Alone or with a Partner on the subject of WE THE PEOPLE for a 2-Minute Talk focused on aspects of the US Constitution, the highest law of the USA. New 2-Minute Talks for Grade 7 Talk on Topic-to-Topics annually In launching this new forum, the topic for 2014 we are delighted to announce is: SHAKESPEARE -- Now and Then. A Bilingual Talk for Grade 8 with a 3-Minute Talk speaking English and LATIN. Keep Posted for more details such as Calendar dates for Applications to enter a Public Speaking contest deadline February 14, 2014. Ask your Teacher and or send us a Comment. Thanks. Oh, by the way, there are no fees for entering any of the Public Speaking contests and there are Prizes! Just give your Voice a chance.

Fun at the Forum

Speaking American
15th Anniversary Celebration
                    Many Thanks
Boston, April 7, 2013-- So many people-- kids, parents, teachers, co-ordinators, guest speakers, judges, photojournalist,
BPL event staff, and Friends of Speaking American-- helped to make this a super fun day at the Forum.
     Micaela Bedell (BU '13), photojounalist, covered our
event and provided photos not only for the story, but also
for our Photo Gallery.
     Prizes for Parents and Teachers picked by random draw were donated by Stop and Shop, Shrewsbury -- an exotic houseplant won by Catherine Rocha, Teacher; and
the prize for Parents was a lovely orchid plant donated by
Trader Joe's, Shrewsbury. Souvenirs to last for years.
      Mike Audette, Teacher and Co-odinator at Atlantis Charter School, won a book The Art of Public Speaking
by All Ages for his record-making effort to have representation of Speakers from Grades 3-4-5-6 and 7!
      Thanks also to Co-ordinators: Lynn Heil of Abby Kelley Foster Charter School of Worcester and
Annmarie Hurley of Coolidge School of Shrewsbury.
      Hope to see you again at the Forum. Continue the
fun by spreading the word that Public Speaking is
a good thing!

New Talks for Grade 7

Speaking American Forum

New 2-Minute Talks for Grade 7 to Start in 2014
Boston, April 7, 2013--  At the Finals of the Speaking American Forum, I asked the audience to join in to celebrate 
the 15th Anniversary of our non-profit organization, including our book The Art of Public Speaking for All Ages published online and now available in Hardcover Edition and sold by Mail Order with profits going to support Speaking American to encourage Public Speaking statewide for Elementary school kids, Grades 3-8.

                  SURPRISE TOPICS EACH YEAR
For Grade 7, we are pleased to announce that the first
offering for the new TOPIC-by-TOPIC Talks is
                  SHAKESPEARE-- Now and Then
Was he anything more than an actor? Was there a writer who needed a cover? Are the modern presentations in the theater and film here to stay or fated to slowly blur into
oblivion. What will stay are the words. So if you know someone who is headed to the 7th Grade next year spread the news. And also, of course, to teachers who each year
try to get their students to brush up on Shakespeare.
Check our blog posts for more.