HOUSTON (Aug. 3, 2012) –  Lone Star College-University Park will host a mock Toastmasters’ championship competition on Aug. 10 to help prepare Houston finalist Yolanda Bynum for the “real” International World Championship of Public Speaking to be held later this month in Orlando, Florida.

The public is invited to attend this world championship rehearsal at LSC-University Park from 4-6 p.m. on Aug. 10. It will feature two expertly-delivered speeches by Bynum along with a panel of experts who will judge the speeches. The event is free to the public. 

According to Toastmasters a group of its Houston leaders scouted the metro area for locations to hold the practice event and selected LSC-University Park’s accommodations because of its similarities to the site in Orlando where the world championship will be held.

“LSC-University Park is proud to partner with such an important community and international organization that trains people to be more confident and influential speakers,” said Shah Ardalan, chief executive officer, LSC-University Park. "We’re pleased to open our world-class facilities to host this event and help this Houston champion prepare for the world championships.”

Bynum is known as an outstanding, award-winning speaker and she uses personal anecdotes and stories about her children to add humor to her speeches and to drive her point home. She is an international corporate trainer with Shell Oil Co. and has been training project managers for the last 11 years.

The road for Bynum to qualify as one of the nine international finalists included six months of preliminary competitions and more than 30,000 participants from 116 countries.

"The World Championship of Public Speaking showcases the powerful talent of Toastmasters' best speakers and gives all members the opportunity to exhibit what they've learned on a grand stage," said Michael Notaro, Toastmasters' 2011-2012 international president.

LSC-University Park’s Conference Center is a showcase in itself and offers 19 meeting rooms, and exhibition space and technical support capable of accommodating events for up to 400 participants.

LSC-University Park is located at 20515 State Highway 249 at Louetta Road. For more information about the college or conference center call (281) 290-2600 or visit LoneStar.edu/UP.

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Founded in October 1924, the organization currently has more than 270,000 members in 13,000 clubs in 116 countries. Each week, Toastmasters helps more than a quarter million people of every ethnicity, education level and profession build their competence in communication so they can gain the confidence to lead others. For information about local Toastmasters’ clubs visit toastmasters.org.

With 75,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.

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