Hershel
V. Jenkins High School is host to a new career development program for high
school students, the nation’s only Toastmasters Explorer Post for Youth
Leadership and Business Communications. During the current school year,
all ten youth members are working to complete the eight workshop sessions
included in Toastmasters International’s Youth Leadership Program.
Toastmasters
Explorer Post Advisor, Vicki Minor, explained, “By combining the proven youth
leadership curriculum of Toastmasters International and the career mentoring
model of the Exploring program, these students are actively practicing their
presentation skills and professional etiquette.” Lead Teacher for the program,
Natatia VanEllison and Ms. Minor are both active in the Local Toastmasters
International Club. Mrs. VanEllison said, “Toastmasters has helped me hone my
own presentation and communication skills, and I wanted to offer that same
opportunity to students here at Jenkins High School. It is exciting to see the
growth of these students as they prepare themselves for successful futures, no
matter where their career aspirations will lead them.”
South
University has partnered with H. V. Jenkins High School on this exciting new
program, by providing mentors, hosting some of the meetings and supplying each
Explorer with a curriculum guidebook. South University’s Dr. Michelle ‘Molly’
Keating shared, “As South University’s Director of Career Services, I observe
on a daily basis how a person’s ability to speak concisely and confidently is
evaluated in job interviews, and then over and over again every day on the job.
The Toastmasters Explorer Post is of enormous benefit to high school students
by increasing their self-esteem and confidence, helping them overcome
presentation anxiety and other personal challenges. I am very excited to be
part of a program that is directly impacting the future success of these high
school students.”
This
year, ten H. V. Jenkins High School students are working to complete the
eight-session program.
