ASTD volunteers aid Houston ISD students in speech competition

Several volunteers from the American Society of Training and Development spent January preparing Houston Independent School District students in the petroleum academies for competition in a professional speaking contest.

According to an ASTD press release, the volunteers worked with students from three district petroleum academies in getting ready for the fifth annual inter-Academy PowerPoint/Panel Speaking Competition in Houston.

The purpose of the annual competition is to showcase each student's knowledge of the oil and gas industries as well as their speaking skills.

Participating in the competition were students from the Milby High School Academy of Petroleum Engineering and Technology, the Westside High School Engineering and Geosciences Academy and the Young Women's College Preparatory Engineering and Geosciences Academy, all part of the Houston Independent School District.

The mission of the Academies is to develop the next generation of talented energy industry professionals, according to the news release.

In preparation for the competition, students prepared a project or panel discussion covering pertinent topics in the oil and gas industry. Volunteers from ASTD evaluated the student teams, offering balanced feedback on such things as delivery, familiarity with the subject, quality of engagement, dress and grooming.

All of the students in the competition finished in first-, second-, or third-place positions, and a few received the Highly-Commended honor.

ASTD Houston volunteers were Beatriz Arnillas, Alan Duncan, Arquella Hargrove, Amy Hart, Alise Isbell, Thecia Jenkins, Gina Luci-Fernandez, Sarah Hurst, Debbie Richards, James Wendelken and Troy Waters. All reported that it was a very positive experience for both volunteers and student competitors.

ASTD Houston is headquartered in Bellaire and the Houston ISD is at 4400 W. 18th St., Houston.

For more information, call 713-556-6000, 713-839-1757, visit www.astdhouston.org or www.houstonisd.org.

ASTD Houston is a nonprofit organization committed to workplace learning and performance improvement. It specializes in learning and networking opportunities for enhancing organizational performance.