Building your Toolbox

Youth Speaking to America ( YSTA 2013) is about our children's future. I call it ‘Building your Toolbox’.

Our school system relies mostly on the ABC's, not the art of speaking. As our children Build their Toolbox of life, learning the value of presentation skills could mean success much earlier in life, and for the rest of their life.

  As they step out into the world of work, they face interviews? Those adults that have had the privilege of job interviews, soon realize it is not all about your resume, but your ability to think on your feet.

 In today's electronic age employers easily can learn about you before you arrive. So then what becomes most important, your ability to answer questions. Questions that may have no bearing on the job at all! Called extemporaneous questions.

 YSTA is based on my experience with Toastmasters and life. Please find My Story and the students speak out at: www.yorksplace.com.

 After 9 years and many Youth Leadership programs, I realized how important overcoming the fear of speaking in public at a early age was.

Over the years at presentations, I always ask the adults if they had this type of program at 10 years old, etc. No one ever raises their hand.