Dominican, Leah Wallace, is the 2014 winner of a prestigious speech contest in the United States.
Wallace won the annual Toastmasters District 36 Spring Evaluation Speech Contest which was held on Friday 16th May 2014.
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. District 36 is one of 82 Toastmasters Districts world-wide, comprising approximately 200 Toastmasters Clubs with over 4000 members.
Leah is a member of Silver Spring Toastmasters Club 1314, one of the 200 clubs in District 36 which covers Washington DC and three of the largest counties in Maryland.
She has been a member of Toastmasters for a little over a year and this was her first time competing in a speaking contest.
“After decimating the competitions at the Club, Area and Division levels, she confidently took to the stage at the District competition held at the Double Tree Hotel in downtown Silver Spring,” the treasurer of Leah’s club, Shirley Jarvis, said in a statement sent to Dominica News Online. “With her suave manner, appealing presence and distinctive Dominican accent, she dissected and analyzed the speech given by the test speaker. Her summation was second to none and by the time she was finished, it was clear to all that she had annihilated the competition and everyone else was competing for second place,” Jarvis explained.
Wallace’s competitors are described as “formidable” and included a former District Governor and experienced, seasoned Toastmasters who have been competing for some time but these factors did not intimidate Leah according to Jarvis who exclaimed, “Without a doubt, we have a star!”
Wallace attributes her success in part, to the mentorship of Mel Bayo – an experienced Toastmaster who has won several competitions, and the support of her family and friends, but mostly to “Trusting in God, and being diligent about Practice! Practice! Practice!”
“We are very proud of Leah and so should all Dominicans. She is making her mark in America and we expect great things from her in the future,” Jarvis noted in her statement.
Leah Wallace holds an MBA from the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) and is currently an ERS Manager at Deloitte.
Thank You Very Much Everyone for the congratulatory messages and kind words of support!!! Sorry for the late response, I saw all the posts on FB and didn’t realise the comments here, my bad
THANK YOU 
Congrats Leah we Dominicans are so proud of you , Keep excelling my love. God bless
Great job Leah. We in Portsmouth are so proud of you.
Congratulations Leah!!!!! any chance the speeach was recorded? Would love to hear it.
Great work Ms.Wallace. As a former member of toastmasters I can appreciate your award.
Happy for you. Practice makes perfect and you made it.
Excellent Job!!!!
Congratulations to my fellow Toastmaster Leah on her prestigious win at the District level. As a long time toastmaster it is heartwarming to see such growth in a new toastmaster. As a Dominican I am double proud. Congrats and I look to see you on the world stage next.
Congrats cuz. You have made us proud. Continue to excel. God bless
Great job Leah. Emo and Gaby are very proud of you. Keep up the good job. I am quite convince that my dear Lael Wallace will make headlines in the near future. Thanks for introducing me to toastmasters. Its just a pity i had to leave but i enjoyed the few sessions i attended. Continue to make yourself, your family and Dominica proud. All the best. God bless you and you know i must conclude by saying my favourite two words ” pretty child”
Congratulations. You have made Dominicans proud.
congrats my sis… I am so proud of you
Great things happen to people who work hard…. Trust in God and he will see you through. Congratulations Leah…
Feel proud to be a Dominican.
Congrats Leah!!! especially we the folks at GFHOW.
Congrats on your outstanding achievement, Leah! You make us all proud. Toastmasters has been a tremendous asset for me. As you know, we now have club in Dominica that likewise has great things in store.
Give my fondest regards to vibrant Dominican community in the DC metropolitan area. May you all continue to attain the best this unique area has to offer.
Congratulationz again!!!! Super proud
Great sis, continue to make us proud.
Leah congrats continue to make us proud. We pray God continue to bless and keep you.
Absolutely proud of you Lele.
Heaven is the limit… the sky is to close.
Congrats Leah. Keep making not only yourself and your family but all of Dominica proud.
Congratulations
You make us proud. Congratulations.
Congratulations cuzzo so proud to see you shining bright as a diamond at this pinnacle. May God continue to bless you richly as you. Much love
Congrats!!
Go Leah !!!!!! You rock girly!
Go Leah !!!!!! You rock girly!
Outstanding job fam!!!lotsa love and keep shining
Congrats Leah….well done
Congrats Leah on your accomplishment. Job well done!
I do hope to see you perform in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in August at the Toastmasters International Convention.
Best regards.
Toastmasters. Where leaders are made!
Congratulations Leah, You have made us proud.
You can do all things through Christ and I am delighted that you are impacting your generation for good.
I will give you a red juicy and a shirley biscuit when you come home.lol.
You will know who .
God bless
only 1 word wow
Congrats to my niece, from Aunty Maria and the rest at home. We are very proud of you. Continue to Excel in Jesus Name.
woooooooooo Congrats Leahhh more achievments to come .
I like it….I like it….I really like it. We Toastmasters in Dominica are so proud of her. Good job Miss.
Well done Leah. Congratulations.
Wow
Well done Leah !! Wish you continued success !!!
As a small country, Dominica has always value success and this has motivated our people to reach great heights. Today the value of hard work and the belief in themselves has been taken away by a policy gifts and favors.
Great Job cuzz, keep up that great work….
Congrats Leah on making your home town proud
Well done daughter of the soil!! We are very very proud of you!!! Thank you for making us proud whilst abroad. This makes our Nation very attractive. Let’s keep our flag flying high!!!! God bless you and God bless DOMINICA !!!!