The Real Prize of Speech Contests

Looking back to when I first joined Toastmasters, I never imagined how far I could explore my own potential until I started participating in speech contests. The experiences I’ve gained along the way have been transformative. What seemed impossible became possible.

Several years ago, I relocated to Cambodia, from Thailand and Laos, and joined the Edniche Toastmasters Club in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. In November 2023, I attended my club’s International Speech Contest. It was my first time attending a speech contest in person, though I didn’t compete. I watched the contestants deliver their speeches with humor and confidence, and I told myself, One day, I will do that too.

The following year, I took the leap. My club held both the International Speech and Table Topics contests at a single event, and I competed in both. I was nervous, but something incredible happened—I started infusing humor into my speeches. My early presentations in Toastmasters had all been about self-love and mindfulness, and while they were heartfelt, they lacked the fun I hoped to bring to my speeches. At these contests, I had given myself a personal challenge: to not just deliver a meaningful message, but to also make the audience laugh.

I answered my Table Topics question with a playful yet reflective question of my own: “How do you expect to understand someone else’s mind when you don’t really understand your own?” It caught the audience’s attention immediately. I heard some of them giggle.

From there, I shared my solution: reading. I recommended the book Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, an insightful guide to understanding different perspectives, especially in relationships. It was my way of blending wisdom with humor, making the topic both relatable and entertaining. I also incorporated humor into my speech for the International Speech Contest.

For the first time, I truly made the audience laugh. I didn’t win any prizes, but I felt like I won something more valuable—personal growth and confidence in my abilities.

In late 2024, I joined the CAM-Meet Corner Toastmasters Club, also in Phnom Penh, and I competed in the club’s International Speech and Table Topics contests. To my surprise, I won first place in Table Topics and second place in my club’s International Speech Contest. That moment was a revelation—I realized that when I stayed true to myself and my style, I could perform better than I had ever expected.

I progressed to the Area level of the Table Topics contest, where I again won first place. This time, I learned the power of authenticity in my responses. When I incorporated what I truly enjoyed into my speech, the audience connected with me on a deeper level. During the Area contest, I was asked, “If you had 1 million dollars, what would you do?”

I responded that I would donate all my money to hospitals, knowing that I could help hundreds of patients who were suffering and waiting for treatment.

The answer reflects who I am. Working in a medical clinic, I witness firsthand the struggles patients face—their fight for survival, their hope for healing, and their need for support. It meant so much to use my voice to highlight something that matters.

My journey continued. At the Division level of the Table Topics contest, I won third place. I learned that self-confidence is key to contest success. Throughout each level of the contest, my confidence grew. With every round, I developed not only my speaking skills but also my ability to think quickly and respond with insightful ideas.

By participating in Table Topics, I realized that it’s not just about having the right answer—it’s about trusting yourself to speak from the heart, even in the most spontaneous moments.

Above all, the contests have shown me that the journey is about more than just winning. It’s about constant improvement, learning from each experience, and being surrounded by people who truly care about our growth. Speech contests help you uncover strengths you might not have recognized before.

I learned the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing new challenges, and I encourage each of you to do something that stretches your boundaries. Participating in a speech contest would be a great first step.

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