2018 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, Ramona J. Smith 

This is my classmate and good friend and I'm so proud of her!!!!! 😘😘😘😘😘

Her confidence level is at level of nobody. Her speech is simple but message is strong and delivery is extremely well done.

Her charisma won the championship for her. Charismatic habits: 1. Inhabiting actions/characters of the story 2. Using vocal dynamics: changing tonalities 3. Hand gestures 4. Using the stage 5. Using humor

I literally clapped she's so amazing, I wish I will be like her someday, speaking confidently in public...

I was a competitor in the 2018 World Championships from Australia. After winning the Club level and Area level, I went on to win the Division level and I progressed to the District Contest in which I did not place, but I am quite happy to be the Division Champion in my very first World Championship. I have to disagree with some of the commenters who have said that this wasn't a great speech...not World Championship material...not much content... etc. However, one has to remember that a winner is a person who scores more points over the current opponents and not some previous gold standards. As a competitor (who lost) I have to concede that Ramona did a great job and I have lost to a really deserving speaker. She had humour, it was entertaining...she brought out the humour in stages after building a foundation of personal defeat. There was also a call to action in the very inspirational message that whatever happens it is to your credit if YOU ARE STILL STANDING! Hats off Ramona...Congratulations on your spectacular victory!

I'm on a Toastmasters marathon today. Watching all the winning speeches.

She killed it! I went to my first toastmaster meeting yesterday. Never heard of toastmaster before. It caught my interest through a FB ad as they were meeting near me at the library. I was then reading a book The Procrastination Equation, and the author mentioned how toastmaster helped him. That’s all the nudge I needed. I had a great time with them yesterday and I’ll certainly be finding a club to join. Go Ramona! Still. Standing. I am still standing. We are still standing.

I can’t believe she squeezed that much great speech into only 7m!!

A few years ago I made a BIG mistake: I said something like "great speech but not great enough to win 1st place". I was wrong. Watching this again with fresh eyes, I'm blown away by her body language (so many examples), use of the stage, and presenting such a simple, concise message in such a relaxed, fun matter. Amazing work Ramona!

Wow. This is such a creative speech. Her expression and body movements brought so much life and meaning to the message. I love it!

For those of you who are asking was this a speech or drama, you clearly have no idea how Toastmasters International differs from Toastmasters International competitions. It’s an entirely different world! The strategies that these ladies (the top three) used in the midst of telling their stories is what it actually takes to place or win. They had to move through the club, area, division, district, and semi-finals. Then, they had to ditch their speech used to win and create a brand new one for the international stage. Despite your feelings, this is far from simple. S/n: competing isn’t for everyone. You don’t have to be a competitor to be a Toastmaster.

This speech is one of those speeches I listened without skipping. I even rewinded it so many times... really very energetic.👏👏👏

I really liked her poise, presence, use of stage and amazingly relaxed confident presence. Been in TM for 7 years and can see, hear and know a formula speech by now. I have competed at club, division and district so have "learned" that it's no longer a speech like a MLK, Obama, JFK or FDR but has to have elements that "speak" to the judges.I have given speeches that won because of seeing what was expected which was a lot of drama via gestures, vocal variety and the so called inspirational journey.Seems like TM speeches are so much more about the depth of the drama and cramming as much into them as possible, where or what has happened to letting your audience feel the pain of loss and disappointment? Plus making some cheesy inspirational point that sounds hollow, as that to is part of the expected "formula".Nevertheless she did what she had to do and won in a highly competitive field, so kudos to her!

Given an opportunity i would love to speak to such an audience. Job well done.

I liked the fact that she took to the stage and made it her own! She added depth with her humour and it was fun to watch. She spoke about some challenging times in her life and she overcame them, by not letting hard situations falter her. Also enjoyed her animated body gestures, she wasn't just rooted to one spot...she was fluid! It truly wasn't what I expected and I was pleasantly surprised and inspired!

I searched on "example of a good toastmasters speech" and this is where it sent me!

I had to watch this again this morning you are a inspiration Mz Smith.

I love her humor and charisma! So inspiring

I needed this boost of energy today. 3 years later she is impacting lives. Thank you.

You did a great job Ramona. I thoroughly enjoyed your speech and it was words I needed to hear. Congrats on the win!! 🙂

It feels like a "one woman theatre show". Great job by the way!!

I'm amazed at how simple this was. So Inspirational!

wow! that was powerful! loved it .. college, faith, relationships, etc. yes thats right "after suffering loss im still standing"

Loved the speech.

Congratulations, this was a well-delivered speech that captured all the elements of public speaking with confidence.

This was EXCELLENT! Great job, Ramona!

I've been watching this 7 times now And still gets amazed 💙

OUTSTANDING TESTIMONIAL‼️Thank You ‼️‼️

I love it!!! Feeling very motivated this morning thank you!

Fantastic !!! Ramona, you have proved my point.

Thank you

A beautiful speech!! I needed to hear that one!!!

This is THE fundamental lesson of life. Great speech, great voice

oh my god! its amazing speech i ever heard. mind blowing and its gave me a good confidence level. Thank you Ramona

This speech made me cry ! The story she relayed here and how she delivered it is more than amazing! Cheers to more wonderful years ahead of us all watching this vid!❤️😍😍😍❤️❤️LOVE AND LIGHT! GOD BLESS US ALL!

She is awesome. I showed the video to my students (who have been asked to give a presentation next wee) and they were so much inspired by her performance.

Amazing! I was all in! Great speech!👏👏👏👏👏

I am speechless!!!!!

I am Learning this because my school has something similar to this. This is a very good speech! I love the movements and tone she used. The way she engaged the audience and the way she used her emotions were very inspirational. I am currently in Middle School and Thrive to be like her every single day. Thank you Ramona J. Smith, for showing me how to be great.

I can't put away my eyes from her speech. Tq for a great speech!!

Fantastic on so many levels. Precise content, cohesion and delivery! You finally stood on the top of TMs highest mountain as I'm sure you have many others. I'm inspired to still stand! THANK YOU!

it is understable... nice to watch her speech...amazing

Man that was awesome. I thank youtube for recommending this. I know about toastmasters but never watched them on youtube until now.

She is amazing. I am glad that I found this talk

Amazing! You said I'd relate and yes I do! On many levels, I STILL STANDING! Awesome speech... I'm sharing this on my Facebook page...

Engaging, structured, and expressive humor. Thank you.

She did amazing. Keep up the great work.

This is so good! She comes out strong and is strong the whole speech. 🔥

Wow. Powerful presentation Ramona J. Smith! Remembering your speech "Still Standing"

I enjoyed this speech presentation. It was truly inspiring and her delivery was smooth. I followed her story and message from beginning to end. I really liked the song too!

Great! I loved her confidence and posture.

She makes it looks effortless! Great job!

I just loved your speech. It was just amazing 💖

What an impeccable presentation.

Congrats

Great delivery, Romana! I'm getting back to the ring and also see through the windows of possibilities. I'm inspired!

Well done Ramona!❤

This is brilliant! Love the movement around the stage. I might steal that one.

Great stage presence and confidence level. I found the speech engaging, with humor but also some life lessons. Well deserved win!

I like having great songs to listen to! What upsets me is that some people feel that every single song must be serious and the artist cannot have fun songs to sing once in awhile! I enjoyed the energy and entertainment of Ramona's speech. I can't wait to share this boxing theme to motivate someone! Swoll Nation.

As an aspiring speaker, I aim to be like her.

Today during our toastmaster's last meeting of the year Ramona Smith's name came up that her speech was one that was worth listening to and I can see why. This was an incredible speech. Very well done Ramona Smith!

she is more an actress than a speaker

Thank you Ramona.

What a beautiful message!

I like her speech so much!

So proud that I got to meet you! So motivating, so inspiring. Ly ;))

Not only the courageous thought of pub anlich speech she spoke, it has full of action and reacton, and she is still standing and got first position. She is amazing lady and great. Hats Off for her and the speech.

Excellent Speech"I'm still standing". We can all identify with that message

This was AWESOME

She is amazing

She has a wonderful speech and she is animated with emotions. I can get into her speech! 🔥

This is absolutely amazing I’m floored

Proud of for your still standing.... very encouraging.

You are so great ❤ Thank you this kind of huge inspiration😇

She is so amazing.

I thought she was brilliant! Natural, authentic and awesome performance! I can truly relate to the many failures she had gone through. Despite the tribulations that came my way, I, too, remain still standing. Thank God for His divine grace because whatever typhoon comes into my horizon, I will remain standing! Thank you for the inspiration you have given through your speech. You're a real champ!

Thanks

greatest speech of all times

Brilliantly delivered 🤝👏👏 Wonderful usage of gestures and of course, a great feel throughout 👍

She did great job!!!

RIVETING. And by the end I’m like, “Is it me, or is it all teary-eyed in here??😭”. This was SO inspirational. SO timely. Thank you, Ramona! ❤️❤️

Her presentation seems to be more of a poetry slam contest than a toastmasters' speech.

I don’t know about the other candidates but I do like her speech. She could’ve made a magistral speech talking about our daily life fighting against the problem we meet every single day. It would work too. But she chose to made us see ourselves in her personal life ( true or not), her experiences and the way she managed to get away from those hardships. By making fun and trying to make us feel at ease, she showed us the msg that I reckon we all received. Dat’s why I think she deserves all the likes 👍🏽 that came from all of us. Thank you Miss!

This amazing speaker I love this

Great summary, summarized a lot of your visions and goals to completion

Thanks hey still standing 2021

I can do better... I will do better... I've got yet another new and refreshing vibe

Her level of confidence is top notch

She did great! Good job CHAMP!

Next level audience engagement! Good job fellow toastmaster.

Love it!! Still Standing!!!

Excellent speech and well deserved victory! She is one of my dear friends, fellow Toastmaster International, and we are co-horts at Prairie View A&M University College of Business Executive MBA today!

Ramona is a very good friend. so proud of her

This was amazing. I was engaged throughout and followed along easily. She did a great job sticking to her original thesis, but there were many dramatics. I like that it was both funny and informative. She easily kept my attention. Would listen again for sure.

Ramona Smith, your delivery is amazing and I’m extremely proud of you. Every element of speaking in this championship, was delivered with confidence, grace, and poise. The comments that contain negative banter rather than constructive feedback, are extremely disappointing. If they’re truly TM members, I venture to guess it would be grueling to be apart of their clubs. The ones who took the time to write a diatribe are actually showing the personal insecurities that lie deep within. Others appear to be speakers whom have never reached the World Championship level, yet are on this thread to simply criticize. Keep thriving, growing, and excelling through your divine journey. Whatever obstacle stands in your way, I have faith you’ll knock it out. 👏🏾👏🏾💪🏾

Oh God! What a great speech she made!!!

I love her personality!

This is a great collection.

Wow this is incredible !!