So that kids could demonstrate their speaking abilities, Winning Feathers, a Soft Skills Institute headquartered in Alpharetta, organized a public speaking contest on May 19, 2019 at the Forsyth Conference Center in Cumming.
Depending on their age group, kids selected from over 100 interesting topics, from water conservation, plastic pollution, gun violence, education system, and family values, to imaginative topics like a visit to outer space. More than 50 participants competed; there were 32 finalists and 9 winners from age groups 7 years to 17 years. Over 200 people attended. The event was professionally managed with the intent to encourage kids.
Chief guests attending were Rep. Angelika Kausche (Johns Creek), Angela Zera Allen (Advisory Board Member GSU and an angel investor); Dennis Brown, Forsyth County Commissioner; Shilpa Jadwani (Immigration Attorney); and keynote speaker, TEDx coach Pam Leinmiller. Ms. Leinmiller declared that the caliber of speeches given by the kids was very impressive and that it’s inspiring to see the commitment of Winning Feathers to prepare the next generation.
Winning Feathers is the brain child of its founder Apurva Ghelani; it is co-owned by Parth Patel, CEO of Six Consulting. To train kids in developing soft skills, Winning Feathers offers summer camps and regular public speaking and debate classes with structured curriculum by coaches with degrees in communication from universities such as NYU and UC Berkley. Mr. Ghelani shared an inspiring story, myths about public speaking, and facts about how, according to Warren Buffet, public speaking can increase one’s personal network. Sponsors were Pramod and Pratima Sajja, owners of Paramount Software Solutions. The event was emceed by Neha Negandhi.
Contest winners were Rishabh Alagharu, Jonathan Sneh, Viraj Das, Yash Sajja, Vihaan Das, Caden Harris, Saimounish Putumbaka, Nikhita Chinmay, and Rishi Gowda. Each received a winner’s trophy, and each participant received a participant trophy.
Pratima Sajja, co-owner of chief sponsor Paramount Software, presenting award to Rishi Gowda, winner of the 14+ category, as winner Rishabh Alagharu on right looks on.
| Guest of honor, TEDx coach Pam Leinmiller, presenting an award. |
Forsyth County Commissioner Dennis Brown presenting an award. |
Emcee Neha Negandhi, winners, judges, guests of honor, hosts, and sponsors.
The event also included a Chai and Chat debate by teenagers, moderated by Dr. Nazeera Dawood, on “American Immigration Policy: Pursue or Restrict.”
(Left) Parth Patel, CEO, Six Consulting and co-founder of Winning Feathers; Dr. Nazeera Dawood; Rep. Angelika Kausche (Johns Creek); Apurva Ghelani, founder and owner of Winning Feathers; and Pramod Sajja, Founder and President of chief sponsor Paramount Software.
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