HIGH FLYERS

Celebrating Our 1st Year!

As we mark our first anniversary, we extend our deepest gratitude to every
member, guest, and supporter who has contributed to our journey. Over the
past year, we’ve grown, learned, and celebrated countless personal victories
together. Our club has become a space for community, encouragement, and
continuous self-improvement. None of this would be possible without the
dedication of our members and the inspiring speeches, evaluations, and
leadership that each one has brought to the table. Here’s to many more years of
growth, camaraderie, and shared success.

Thank you for making this first year unforgettable!

Fellow Toastmasters,

Today, I invite us all to reflect on empathy—not just as an act, but as a way of being. Empathy is about
seeing beyond words, understanding unspoken emotions, and embracing perspectives that differ from our
own. It’s a gentle reminder that each person we encounter carries stories, struggles, and triumphs we may
never fully know.

But let’s extend that empathy beyond people. What if we also tuned into the needs of the world around us
—our environment, the animals, and even the simplest things that bring joy to life? Imagine the power we
hold when we treat everything with care and respect—like a conversation waiting to be nurtured.

At High Flyers, we grow through speeches, evaluations, and teamwork. But our greatest growth comes
when we learn to lead with empathy. Let’s make kindness our compass and compassion our daily practice.
In doing so, we’ll not only inspire others but also build a stronger, more connected community—both in this
club and beyond.

Together, let’s speak, listen, and live with empathy."

from the president’s desk

President, High Flyers

Jessie Fan

Chris Xavier wasn’t just an engineer at Verizon with a background in sales; he was a master communicator, someone
whose speaking skills felt like they were honed at Harvard. He wielded voice modulation, body language, humor,
energy—and most importantly, empathy—with such finesse that his presence was impossible to ignore. When Chris
talks to you, you don’t just hear his words—you feel them.

I first met Chris at the Tampa Noonshiners, a Toastmasters club in downtown Tampa Bay. I’ll never forget the moment
he walked into the meeting room. What was once a dull, gloomy space suddenly transformed into a cheerful, lively
environment, as if everyone had just downed a double shot of espresso.

Chris’s magic was in how he made people feel seen. He addressed everyone by name and remembered their stories
with astonishing precision:

“How’s your son feeling now, Jenny?”

“How was the concert yesterday, Jonathan?”

“Sue, you look amazing today! Did David take you out for dinner?”

And with a playful grin: “Vikas, you owe me $50 for those books.”

It wasn’t just the way Chris remembered names; it was the way he connected with people on a deeply personal level.
That day, I knew: This is the kind of mentor I wanted. So, after the meeting, I didn’t waste a second. I walked straight up
to him, nervous but determined, and asked, “Chrish, would you be my mentor?”

He gave me a warm, curious smile and asked, “Why me?” I told him how much I admired his presence, his confidence,
and his ability to connect with others—qualities I hoped to develop in myself.

Chris’s response was profound: “I’ll mentor you, but my goal isn’t to make you my echo. I’ll help you become the best
version of you.”

Chris was a busy—and let’s be honest, an expensive—guy, so I only got two weekends with him. But those sessions
changed everything. He didn’t just help me ace my first internship; he also guided me through some of the mental
roadblocks I’d been carrying around in my head.

Today, I’d like to share the three life lessons Chris taught me—lessons I hope to pass on to someone else when I
become a mentor myself.

Lesson 1: "Your Story is Your Strength"

Chris taught me that while achievements may impress, it’s the story behind them that truly resonates. People connect
with the struggles, the hurdles, the failures, and the experiences that shape who you are.

I tested this advice during my first internship interview with Wells Fargo. Instead of just listing my skills and
qualifications, I opened up about the emotional rollercoaster I experienced during my MBA. To my surprise, the
interviewer connected more with my journey than with my resume. Since then, whether it’s a job interview, a speech, or
a casual conversation, I’ve learned to share more of myself—and the relationships I’ve built have become deeper and
more meaningful.

Lesson 2: "Fail Forward"

At first, the idea that failure is progress didn’t make sense to me. How can failing feel like moving forward? Isn’t failure a
step backward? But Chris shared stories of his own setbacks—failed speeches, missed opportunities, and personal
disappointments. And each time, he explained how failure gave him clarity about what needed improvement.

“Failure,” Chris said, “is just feedback. It’s telling you where to focus so you can succeed.” Over time, I realized that
every stumble was a step toward growth—if I chose to learn from it.

Lesson 3: "Present the Best Version of You"

The best mentors don’t just tell you what you want to hear—they tell you what you need to hear. When I first asked
Chris to mentor me, I wanted to become more like him. But he saw something I didn’t: my lack of confidence in who I
already was. That’s why he made it clear that his goal wasn’t to turn me into his shadow, but to help me embrace the
best version of myself.

With Chris’s encouragement, I started to believe in my own abilities. It was like a jolt of confidence—as if I’d taken a
shot of adrenaline. Conversations that once felt intimidating became effortless, and I began carrying myself with the
self-assurance that had once seemed out of reach.

In Summary, mentorship isn’t just about giving advice—it’s about unlocking the potential that’s already within someone.
Chris Xavier didn’t try to mold me into his image. Instead, he helped me discover my own voice, my own story, and my
own path forward.

As I stand here today, I look forward to the day I can pass these lessons on to my own protégé. Because, in the end,
it’s not just about what we achieve—it’s about how we help others become the best versions of themselves.

Best speech of the month

My Story With Chris Xavier

Srujan mishra

Best Speaker

Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking
what no one else ever thought.

Albert Einstein

New High Flyers promo/ad is ready and is
showcased all over campus.

January - March 2025 in Pictures

Andrew conducts Table
Topics on Ants.

Ryan gives an im-promptu speech on his
entrepreneurial idea.

David pitches his points on social media and how
they play a pivotal role in providing a unique
experience.

High Flyers meetings are fun and we make a lot of friends.

A Pathways Session in progress. President Fan delivers the opening
inspiration.

Philip delivers a speech on his
faith in God.

Adelynn gave the best answers to Andrew’s table-
topics on Ants.

Srujan talks about Winter in
Antartica and How to survive it.

An entire meeting for table
topics.

Jessie delivers a speech on ‘The
Cost of Lying’.

A Pathway meeting in Progress.

Khang gives his Ice Breaker
speech.