By Thomas Celona
Staff Writer

It ranks right up there with snakes, spiders and extreme heights — public speaking.

A group of local students chose to face this often-daunting act head-on last week through a camp titled "The Power of Public Speaking" at Temple Ambler as part of the university's summer programming aimed at teenagers.

To teach the students the ins and outs of speaking in front of crowds, the university brought in a person who knows a thing or two about public speaking: Jules Mermelstein.

Formerly a trial lawyer, Mermelstein is currently an Upper Dublin Township commissioner and teaches U.S. history, government and economics at Upper Dublin High School, along with being the coach of the school's speech and debate team.

Temple contacted Upper Dublin School District Superintendent Michael Pladus, looking for someone to teach this summer's public speaking and debate camps, and Mermelstein decided to take on the role because of the importance he sees in communication.

"Communication in general is one of the most important skills," he said. "Most arguments are caused by miscommunications."

During the program, which ran July 12 to 16, Mermelstein worked with students on presentation skills, enunciation and eye contact, as well as how to interpret others’ communication.

"I've also covered some nonverbal communication, such as body language," he said.

Students worked on their public speaking skills in a variety of ways. They gave speeches — both ones they wrote and famous speeches — that were videotaped so students then could watch them and receive critiques.

Throughout the week, the campers split into two groups of five and worked on preparing a news broadcast. On the final day, the students presented their mock news shows, displaying all the speaking and presentation skills they learned throughout the week.

Some of the students signed up for the camp because they already enjoyed public speaking and wanted to improve their abilities.

"I'm on the forensics [speech] team at my school, so I wanted to get better at that," Liz Harkins, 14, of Abington, said. "I love being in the limelight, so it's fun."

"I enjoy public speaking, and I thought this would be a fun way to spend a week," Julian Lutz, 13, of Huntingdon Valley, said. "We've learned a lot about how to convey a message to a person you're speaking to, how to read a person's body language. It's been nice."

Not everyone, however, came in loving being in front of an audience.

"It's kind of scary," David Gao, 15, of Lansdale, said, noting the program has helped ease some of his fears. "I wanted to get better at speaking in front of my peers. I learned you have to project your voice, not to be nervous and to show more emotion."

"The kids are learning how to be persuasive, practicing speeches, watching examples of good speeches," camp coordinator Katie Reid said. "It gives them skills to go back and work cooperatively with others in school in the fall."

Reid said this is the first year Temple Ambler has offered the public speaking program as it tries to expand its summer offerings aimed at an age group often overlooked by summer camps.

"A lot of camps end around age 12, so to offer something for the 15-, 16-, 17-year-olds that is something they're interested in, that gives parents an option for their older kids," she said. "We like to offer camps for teens. We try to think of what do teens learn in middle school and high school and what subjects could be turned into a fun camp topic, and public speaking seemed like a good choice."

"The main thing is they're more comfortable in front of a group or when they have to give a presentation and that they had fun," Mermelstein said.

While the public speaking camp has wrapped up, Mermelstein will be back at Temple Ambler to teach "Debate for Teens: The Art of Arguing" Aug. 2 to 6.

More information about Temple Ambler's summer education camps for teenagers is available online at temple.edu/ambler/camps.