Students of ‘Charismatic Orator’ program recognized
'I expect we'll be seeing great things from these young women'
The Asbury Park City Council at their Sept. 17 meeting honored a group of local middle school girls for their participation in an organization that seeks to build their confidence and public speaking skills.
The Eloquent Charismatic Orator is an after-school public speaking training program that culminates in an oratorical pageant that is designed to build self-esteem in middle school girls, as well as foster healthy, positive views of their own competence and engender a positive attitude towards learning.
Neptune Township teen Angelica Einot, 13, [shown above and at right, wearing crown] received special accolades for winning this year’s competition. A proclamation recognizing her effort, and the group as a whole, was read aloud by Mayor Myra Campbell [shown above and at right, in red].
At the oratory pageant held Aug. 16, the girls were required to memorize a poem by Maya Angelou. Einot memorized ‘Phenomenal Woman,’ and recited it to the audience at the council meeting.
Councilwoman Amy Quinn served as a one of the judges at the pageant, which she said was an “extremely rewarding experience.”
“I was so proud to see so many young women not only recite from memory a Maya Angelou poem but they spent a little time describing why they picked that poem and what it meant to them. I expect we’ll be seeing great things from these young women,” Quinn said.
Being a part of the program has not only increased Einot’s confidence, it has taught her skills she brings with her to the classroom, she said.
“In school projects, when the teacher would tell me to come up and talk I was always scared to do it — but you have to do it to get your credit,” said Einot. “This, this kind of takes away the fear because you already know you can do it since you already have the experience.”
City resident Angela Ahbez-Anderson [shown above, at far right] is the founder of The Eloquent Charismatic Orator. She is also a member of the Asbury Park Board of Education. Ahbez-Anderson provides learning and consulting services geared towards women’s empowerment through her company, Rebuilding Me, LLC.
“This could not have been possible without instructor Angela Ahbez-Anderson,” said Campbell.
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