RYAN AVERY: This is the shining moment, the pinnacle of success and competitive speaking

and Toastmasters.

KENNY RAY MORGAN: The second year in a row I'm blessed to be back for the finals. It's

going to be a lot of newcomers onstage for the first time, except for myself which would

make me the favorite, but I don't want to be the favorite. I'm still the underdog.

RYAN AVERY: I put all 100% of myself into this. I think you do have to have that just

focus and that vision to get there, and that's what it took for me to get where I am right

now.

RONALD MELVIN: My best is winning. It's not coming in second, it's not coming in third.

It's blowing this thing out of the window.

[Music]

RYAN AVERY: This speech is not just mine. It is Chelsea's. We woke up at 5 in the morning.

We traveled to 50 different clubs all around the city. I was speaking 11 times a week before

this contest, and it wasn't ever me. It was always us. She was my coach the whole way.

ANNOUNCER: This is an exciting event. 9 of our most talented Toastmasters are here to

compete for the world championship of public speaking.

JESSICA CARDER: The finalists are a little scatter brained at the moment. They're very

excited. Most of them are probably anxious as well.

MARIO LEWIS: I was a very shy and nervous kid and I was giving my first presentation

and I just froze, and I said from that day on I'm going to find a way to improve myself

because I'm tired of being that little kid who doesn't speak up.

ANDREW KNEEBONE: I know I can speak in public, because I've been trained. There's moments

when you're actually nervous and you're fearful. Well, that's a friend now, not a stranger.

RYAN AVERY: I am so excited. I know that might sound crazy, but I know that speech. I have

it memorized. I have it staged. It just all comes down to now, I want to go and give that

speech to 2,000 people.

ANNOUNCER: Let the speech contest begin.

(Audience applauds)

ANNOUNCER: Our first contestant, Andrew Kneebone.

(Audience applauds)

ANDREW KNEEBONE: Allow me to introduce you to Henry Kneebone. He wrote his life story

down in a journal, with a twist. It was a poem. One long poem. From start to finish,

and this from a man who never went to school.

I'm now so far beyond where I actually thought I'd get to, it's gravy. You know, now I want

it, and I really do.

[Music]

ANDREW KNEEBONE: Son, this man is you. His blood is your blood. Read his story and know

that he suffered and prospered and use that to give you courage.

ANNOUNCER: Stuart Pink.

STUART PINK: Why not use the two most important words in the English language. Without these

two tiny words, our world would not exist. Do you want to hear what they are? "What if?"

Every great question that has advanced civilization has started with "What If?"

ANNOUNCER: Ronald E. Melvin

RONALD MELVIN: It was the 1980's. I was living in Rochester, Minnesota. 110,000 people and

3 of color. Me, myself and I.

[Audience laughs]

ANNOUNCER: There are millions of people out there who can't afford a single pair of shoes.

And yet many of us who have more than 20 pairs - ladies 50 pairs - you are still complaining.

PALANIAPPA SUBRAMANIAM: At this level, everyone knows the judging criteria. So to me I believe

the judges look for who's able to connect with the audience, and if you're able to actually

take them on a journey with you, just like in a movie, then you've sealed the deal. So

why not all of you - take off your shoes right now. I don't want to be alone, come on, take

it off and tell yourselves that these shoes are designed for me. Appreciate how far these

shoes have carried you in life

ANNOUNCER: Our 7th contestant is Kenny Ray Morgan.

KENNY RAY MORGAN: Ladies and gentlemen, what are you running from today?

My focus now is not on winning but connecting with my audience and if I could do that successfully,

I think winning will take care of itself.

We should all heed the wise words of one - Mark Twain. When he says - do that what you fear

most and the depth of fear is certain.

ANNOUNCER: Diane Parker.

DIANE PARKER: The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but living your life bound by

traumatic experiences in your past. I will no longer reap what my past continues to sow.

ANNOUNCER: Ryan Avery.

RYAN AVERY: I was finally able to leave small town Texas and I went to college in Colorado

and I met the girl. Tall, curly hair. A tattoo or 2. (Whispers) 4.

Does this speech send a message and are you going to remember it a week from today? If

you're going to remember it a week from today, it's a great speech. That's what the judges

are looking for.

Before the wedding my mom reminded me that trust is a must if I want this marriage to

last. I am at the alter, sweating in my wool suit and Chelsea is glowing in her white dress.

Chelsea, I promise.

[Applause]

ANNOUNCER: That concludes our speech contest. Counters please collect the ballots.

[Music]

[Applause]

ANNOUNCER: I have the winner envelope with me. Are you all ready? In third place Stewart

Pink.

[Music]

ANNOUNCER: In second place, Palaniappa Subramaniam.

[Applause]

ANNOUNCER: And the 2012 World Champion of Public Speaking - Ryan Avery.

[Applause]

RYAN AVERY: I didn't want to just go up and give a speech. I promised my mentor that I

would go and send a message that matters to my heart, and when I gave that I just felt

so good.

ANDREW KNEEBONE: Ryan's speech was excellent, and I tip my hat to him. I really do. It was

bloody well done.

KENNY RAY MORGAN: I'm feeling a little sting right now but that's okay, that will wear

off, and I'm already thinking about what I need to do to improve because one of my lifetime

goals is to win this.

RONALD MELVIN:: Public speaking has given me the ability to do things that I would have

never thought of doing before. At 66, people are telling you you're down hill. I'm just

starting.

[Music]