In Toastmasters Table Topics contests we always state the question twice — to give time for the contestant to formulate an answer and to be sure that he/she understands the question. Even then, some contestants do not answer the actual question and these are seasoned Toastmasters. Miss So. Carolina is only a teenager.

Second, most high school and college students are not educated or are not knowledgable in effective communication skills. English, speech and drama classes really do not teach communication skills. One of my students, a civil engineer, took a speech class which, in her words, was absolutely useless. She learned much more in my classes (effective communications) because I specifically teach about communications, not necessary speeches. That’s why so many adults join Toastmasters — to get the training and practice they didn’t learn in school.

We really need to teach our youth effective communication skills. Employers are seeking not only the technical skills but also the “soft” skills — a term I don’t like but it is a common phrase. One really great thing about Miss Teen So. Carolina, she used only one or two filler words, i.e. ah, um, etc.