DAMMAM — They say laughter is best therapy to fight stress in this otherwise frenetic–paced society. At Kanoo Towers here it was laughter all the way last Friday as 12 Gaveliers, aged between 8 and 13 years, sent the audience into a fit of laughter with their humorous speeches. The contest was part of an ongoing education and training process, Creative Gavel Club, a club formed under Area 25 of Toastmasters International. In Group'A', which comprised Gaveliers studying in Grade 4-6, five Gaveliers amused the audience with their humorous speeches. Sarah Forizuddin Ahmed won first place, while Avaneesh Lakshman and Jishnu Anil Kumar were placed in second and third respectively. In Group ‘B', a total of seven participants comprising Gaveliers studying in grades 7-9 displayed their abilities on how to convey a message through satire and humor. Syed Omar Albeez was adjudged the best speaker in this category while Ibrahim Mustafa and Ankita Nair got second and third prize respectively. Very experienced toastmaster and Area 25 Governor (elect), Prakashan Palakkadavath was the chief judge and supervised the judging part with the help of senior toastmasters flawlessly. The contest was ably conducted by two Gaveliers, Hiba Khalil Shaikh and Ayesh Razia Mustafa. The current Area 25 Governor, Nayeem Javed attended the contest and motivated the Gaveliers to keep improving their public speaking skills. Distinguished Toastmaster and past Area 32 Governor, Jolly K. too attended the contest and inspired the children. As he always does before the closing of schools for the summer holidays, the founder and club counselor, N.C. Mani, distributed educational gifts for the children to make use of and learn during their holidays. In two years of its existence, Creative Gavel Club, has gained popularity in the Toastmasters Fraternity and with the help of several senior toastmasters, the Creative club has turned many of the gaveliers into seasoned orators.
