Released 30 Jan 2004

The Greater Stamford Toastmasters Club in conjunction with the Academy of Information Technology will present the Toastmasters’ Youth Leadership Program at the AIT beginning January 29th, 2004. This program is a special course in oral communication and leadership sponsored by the Greater Stamford Toastmasters club.

This program is being piloted by Mrs. Merturi-Diaco's Pathways class in an eight-week program held at AIT. The Academy of Information Technology is a college preparatory interdistrict magnet high school serving students from Stamford, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Ridgefield and Darien. The Youth Leadership program, offered at no cost to the students or the school, gives students the opportunity to become better listeners, thinkers and speakers. They will also learn how to conduct and manage a meeting. Each graduate will receive a completion certificate at the final presentations on March 30th, 2004.

"Pathways, a unique project based technology course, prepares you for the real-world and how to work as a team”, said Mrs. Merturi-Diaco, “This program will enhance students’ leadership and presentation skills. I know this will greatly benefit the students and their communication with others. Thanks to the Greater Stamford Toastmasters group for developing and sponsoring this important initiative."

The Youth Leadership program was developed by Toastmasters International to help young people of today become leaders of tomorrow. This program uses materials especially adapted from the regular Toastmasters International public speaking program. More than three million people have benefited from the adult Toastmasters program since it was introduced in 1924. Regular Toastmasters meetings are held each week on Mondays from 7pm to 9pm at 281 Tresser Blvd. in Stamford.