Shawntaye Scott, a 2003 information sciences and technology graduate of Penn State Beaver, is the recipient of the Distinguished Toastmaster Award from Toastmasters District 13 which covers western Pennsylvania and parts of Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia. The honor is the highest awarded to an individual by Toastmasters International, a nonprofit organization formed in 1924 to assist individuals in improving communication and leadership skills as well as building self-confidence.
Scott, a resident of Pittsburgh’s Morningside district, joined Toastmasters in November 2006 when she became a member of the Midday Toastmasters Club in Oakland. Scott was elected secretary, then vice president of public relations for the Midday Club. In 2007, Scott joined Carnegie Mellon University’s newly-chartered Symposium Toastmasters Club which specializes in helping international students improve their English and communications skills. In 2008, she became the Symposium Club’s vice president of education and was elected president earlier this year. The Symposium Club has received the Toastmasters’ Presidents’ Distinguished Club Award annually since 2007.
Scott has earned 27 educational and achievement awards from Toastmasters, has served in nine club officer positions, and has held the position of district officer.
“Toastmasters has made me more confident as a speaker and in all areas of my life,” said Scott. “I can communicate my ideas clearly and concisely to various people and audiences from cultures around the world. It is something I truly enjoy doing.”
Scott plans to continue her membership in Toastmasters while serving as a mentor to new members. She can be contacted at mariot6110@hotmail.com.