by Joyce Piñero
District 25 Toastmasters celebrated the achievements of clubs and members at the “Here We Grew!” 24-25 Year End Celebration. Congratulations to all the toastmasters whose service and dedication contributed to the district’s success over the past year.
Toastmaster of the Year
Kelsey Dean
This award recognizes the Toastmaster whose dedication, commitment and efforts significantly contributed toward achieving the goals and mission of the district and who best exemplifies the values of Toastmasters International: integrity, respect, service, and dedication. This honoree exemplifies the true meaning of Toastmasters.
“I’m already looking forward.”
What I Should Have Said:
When put on the spot, my mind goes completely blank! Completely! Does anybody know an organization that could help me with that?
I have jokes now, but when our District Director, Jesse Ford, announced my name on the evening of Saturday, August 9, as the D25 Toastmaster of the Year, I was in shock. I was caught completely by surprise, so of course, my mind went blank! Table topics practice went out the window!
During my solitary drive home, as I reminisced on the kudos and congratulations of the night, the words about how I got here came to me. Here is what I should have said. The beginning of 2024 was extremely hard for me.
The beginning of the Toastmasters year on July 1st coincided with a new beginning for me, and I made the conscious decision to rededicate myself to Toastmasters to help me feel more like me again. I am best when serving others. I love to participate. I love to get involved. I love to help do the work that makes the fun possible. I am pleased to share that the 2024-2025 Toastmasters year did the trick! I feel happier and more like myself than ever before, and Toastmasters helped me make that happen quicker than I thought possible. Thank you, D25, for the opportunity to serve! Let’s keep going together!
District Director’s Focus Award
Vanessa Rivera
This award recognizes a member who committed to helping others achieve their goals, resulting in greater benefits for themselves and fellow members.
“I’m honored for the opportunity, year after year, to be a part of this family and extend friendships.”
District Director’s Service Award
Les Condit
This award honors a District 25 member whose dedication to service, loyalty to the district, and adherence to the Toastmasters Promise provided outstanding leadership, inspiring others to excel.
“I’ve enjoyed making this Toastmaster’s district my family.”
Area Director of the Year
Renée Marietta
This award recognizes an area director whose dedication, commitment, and area team significantly contributed to district goal achievements.
“It’s been a wild ride. I’ve learned so much, grew, met people, and built long term relationships.”
Division Director of the Year
This award recognizes a division director for outstanding performance in membership building and retention, club extension, education/training, leadership, and other areas critical to district success.
“My expectations were for an easy, smooth sail. Things are never what you expect. Others stepped up. If it weren’t for the help I got, I couldn’t have done this.”
Robert E. Barnhill III Compañero Award
Rebecca Pontaski
As defined by District 23, this award is provided to a past district officer who continues to contribute to the good of the district and its members. The award was renamed in 2018 from the Compañero Award to the Robert E. Barnhill III Campañero Award after the passing of District 23 member and Past International President, Robert E. Barnhill III.
“I look forward to our future together as we continue to grow. Nothing is going to stop us.”
