Toastmasters International 77th Annual Convention Calgary, Canada
August 13 - 16, 2008

LaShunda Rundles - 2008 World Champion of Public Speaking By Zena Sultana Babao, DTM The lady who made world history LaShunda Rundles of Dallas, Texas is the 2008 World Champion of Public Speaking! She made history as the first woman in 20 years to win the World Championship of Public Speaking. A Toastmaster and motivational speaker in Dallas, Rundles highly motivating speech entitled "Speak!" encouraged people to use their voices to change the world. After her spectacular win, Rundles said that she plans to continue changing the world and hopes to become the national spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America. A lupus survivor herself, she feels particularly qualified to speak on behalf of other lupus patients. Sponsored annually by TI (Toastmasters International), this world public speaking event usually draws a crowd of 1,500 or more from all over the world. TI is the foremost educational organization that trains speakers and leaders from almost ninety countries and growing. A big boost to women Rundles is the 4th woman to win the World Championship of Public Speaking since the contests began in 1938. Not only did she make world history, her incredible achievement is a big boost to women who dream of being world champion public speakers. And so did the third place winner, Katherine Morrison of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, with her speech, "Baby, I Don't Believe Them." Two women in the top three! Amazing! Rundles was selected as one of the top ten speakers from contestants coming from all regions of the world. Before making the top ten, she competed with around 2500 contestants in various levels of competition: Club, Area, Division, District and Region. Aside from Rundles, who is from Region III and Morrison from Region VII, the eight others in the top ten were: Rich Hopkins, Region I; Robert Mackenzie, Region II; Martin Presse, Region IV; Colin William. Region V; Charles J. Wilson, Region VI; Henry Flowers, Region VIII; Jock Elliot, DNAR A; and Loghandran Krishanasamy, DNAR B, the runner-up. Krishanasamy's winning speech was entitled "Finding the Rhythm." He hails from Puchong, Malaysia" Kudos to the Champ "Most speakers dream of speaking on the world stage, most will never make it," said Darren LaCroix, 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking. Yes, indeed! It's a dream come true to speak on the world stage and emerge as the best! The world championship of public speaking was one of the main events at the 77th Annual Toastmasters International Convention held this year in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (August 13 to 16, 2008). Venue was the TELUS Convention Centre in Calgary. The convention offered TI members, and guests, educational opportunities, entertainment, and the chance to mingle with people the world over. The District 5 Team The D5 team was headed by District Governor Emily Corcoran, DTM, and composed of: LGET Charley Patton, ACB, ALB; Gail Lover, DTM, IPDG; Joyce Persichilli, DTM, PDG; Eileen Hope, DTM, PDG; Lyn Kadushin, DTM; Vera Mizell, DTM; Sheryl Rousch, DTM, PDG; and Helen Blanchard, DTM, PIP. Why LaShunda Rundles is world champion What made LaShunda Rundles better than anyone else? Again, let's hear from Darren LaCroix: "She connected with the audience, she had a great message, a voice worth listening to, stage presence, and she was coached by past world champions. She was professionally dressed, and she was there not for the trophy but for the betterment of the audience." She also did the 3P's of public speaking: practice, practice, and more practice. She did her first solo public speaking at the tender age of five at a convention. She started really young because her parents are both educators. Her mother discovered how precocious she was when at age three she was already reading books. So her Mom challenged and encouraged Rundles to memorize 25 children's books. She did, and the rest is history! Congratulations, Ms. Rundles, we are so proud of you!