Buena Park Toastmaster in World Speaking Contest

For Immediate Release Buena Park Toastmaster in World Speaking Contest (Buena Park, CA) A local resident has advanced to the semi-finals of the Toastmasters International competition for public speaking in Orlando, Florida, Aug. 15-20. Michael Masotto, of Buena Park, a member of the Anaheim Breakfast Toastmasters Club recently won the Spring district competition for his speech, “I Am A Phoenix.” He will represent Founder’s District, a network of Toastmasters speaking clubs stretching from Pasadena to San Clemente. There are 86 districts worldwide and Founder’s District is where Toastmasters began 88 years ago. “To reach the semi-finals at the International level is such a reward,” said Masotto, “but my ultimate goal is to win the International competition. I firmly believe I will do it.” Masotto, 52, will compete against 80 Toastmasters in the semi-finals in Orlando Aug. 16. If successful, he will reach the finals on Saturday, Aug. 18, where nine speakers will compete to become the coveted international champion of public speaking. This prestigious award is given annually at the Toastmasters International Convention following rigorous local competition throughout the United States and around the world. His winning speech, “I Am A Phoenix,” is the story of his struggle to read, how he was positively influenced by mentors and how he ultimately enrolled and completed his college degree as a working adult. “It is a story of struggle, but a story of help and perseverance,” he said. “People have told me they love the speech because it touches them. At graduation, a little five year old boy told me it made his mommy cry.” Masotto, a sales rep for Pacific Coast Homes Solutions, sells energy upgrades for homeowners in Southern California. He has only been in Toastmasters for 11 months, joining in September, 2011 to polish his upcoming valedictorian speech for the University of Phoenix where he was graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He beat out a number of other students to deliver the valedictorian speech. Julie Schrock, a good friend and member of the Saddleback Sunrise Speakers in Laguna Hills told Masotto that he should join Toastmasters to help with his valedictorian speech. It was good advice. “Since I got a standing ovation from 10,000 people at graduation, I made some changes and used it for the Toastmasters competition. But the changes I made from my Toastmasters club was the key to victory.” To reach Orlando, Masotto had to win several speaking contests locally. “I had to win at my club, the Area, Division and finally District level. It was tough and gets very competitive as you move up.” Married to his wife Denise, a registered nurse for 26 years, they have four children, two boys, two girls and two granddaughters. In a previous life, Masotto was an air traffic controller for 20 years, directing air traffic at John Wayne, Ontario and Hawthorne Airports. He retired, owned a hotel in Lake Arrowhead, sold insurance and now wants to transition into public speaking In his Anaheim Toastmasters Club, Masotto has earned his Competent Communicator award for completing his first 10 speeches. He is now working on advanced speeches and his goal is to become a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), the most prestigious level of achievement in the organization. Several of his Toastmasters friends are heading to Orlando to support him. “It will be great to have familiar faces in the audience. How exciting is that?” “Public speaking is now my passion and finding Toastmasters was a great discovery. Anyone who wants to improve their communication skills should join. I’m now looking for opportunities to use my presentation skills in the next chapter of my life.” For more information on Michael Masotto, contact John Barry, Assistant Public Relations Officer, Founder’s District, Toastmasters International jpbarry05@yahoo.com. Or call (714)457-2279 Toastmasters International, headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is a world-wide nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Founded in Santa Ana by Dr. Ralph Smedley in 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 and profession build their competence in communication so they can gain the confidence to lead others. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, visit www.toastmasters.org.