Talking Teen Tourney

Yesterday Dustin and Nathan competed in the Talking Teen Tourney at their school. Four students were chosen to represent the 8th-11th graders in a speech contest. They could choose any topic to present in 2 1/2 minutes to the whole Middle school and High School student body. Nathan's topic was How Not To Give A Speech and Dustin chose Did Jesus Really Rise From The Dead. I doubt that I would have been confident enough to deliver a speech presentation to the entire MS and HS when I was an 8th grader. I was so proud of their courage, especially Dustin as he chose such a strong message to deliver. Mark took off work and we made sure that we were there to encourage and support both of them but especially Dustin as he took such a bold stand for his faith. Both of them compiled their speeches without any help from Mark or I. We heard their speeches for the first time the night before they delivered them at school. They both did great and when the judges decision was made-Nathan came home with the 1st place trophy!! We were so proud for him. He did put together a pretty humorous talk and was very confident on stage. We knew he had a good chance after hearing all the competition but I was unsure if they would give the trophy to an 8th grader, but he won!!

Dustin took the results well but commented that he would present a funny speech next year as all the winners delivered humorous talks. One of the serious talks turned funny. A Thai girl was presenting on the Right To Die she was just saying that some people think that only God (and right when she said God, there was a bright bolt of lightening and a huge crash of thunder!!! everyone laughed, it was that obvious!)has the right to take a life. It was pretty ironic!

I guess those Communicators for Christ conferences paid off!! Dustin finished his speech with a statement, "Sooner or later we will all have to decide about Jesus and if he really rose from the dead, why not decide sooner rather than later?"