The Princeton Area Youth Leadership Program developed by Toastmasters International completed the spring season on April 9 at the West Windsor Senior Center. The chapter includes 30 young people ranging from first to tenth grade, living in West Windsor, Plainsboro, and Princeton. As well as serving as toastmasters, officers, and leaders, they learn to present both prepared and impromptu speeches.
Adult advisors include Ashok Rathod and Louisa Ho of West Windsor, and Todd Greenwood and Wei-Hsing Wang of Princeton. Rathod is president of Princeton Toastmasters.
Keynote speaker Dr. Dilip Abayasekara, senior vice president of Toastmasters International, presented “The Path of Genie? Your Journey to Your Heart’s Desire.” West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh was the opening speaker.
The youth presented speeches that focused on audience participation include magic tricks, Indian stick dancing, hula hoop tricks, paper folding, how to make brownies, and skits. Officers for next year include Sahil Chodhari of West Windsor as president for the first half of the year, and his sister Priyanka, as president for the second half.
West Windsor students who received awards include Harleen Jaswal, Priyanka, Shilvi Shah, Kakran Bhatia, and Sahil. Plainsboro award winners include Nikhita Dattani and Roshni Dattani.