Released on = July 21, 2006, 5:35 pm

Press Release Author = The Sykes Group

Industry =

Press Release Summary = Virginia Beach business owners give time to develop youth
leaders.

Press Release Body = Virginia Beach, VA, July 21, 2006-Ed Sykes and Joy
Fisher-Sykes, Co-founders of The Sykes Group, received an award from Seatack
Elementary School in Virginia Beach, VA, for volunteering and leading the
Toastmasters International Youth Leadership Program. They led a group of third
through fifth graders on an eight-week program to improve their leadership,
presentation, and motivation skills.

At the Seatack graduation ceremony, Ed and Joy were presented with an award from
Principal Katherine Everett for outstanding contributions to the enhancement of
public education. Ed Sykes and Joy Fisher-Sykes, in the Toastmasters International
Youth Leadership Program, coached and mentored the participants in officer
elections, Robert's Rules of Order, how to run a meeting, presentation skills,
thinking on your feet skills, and how to give positive evaluations. By the second
session, the participants are running the sessions with coaching from Ed and Joy.

"We find that our participants will always raise to the high bar we set for them
in leadership, presentation skills, and evaluation skills so that they are more
confident as students and leaders, and are ready to become global citizens," says
Ed Sykes. "They are like little sponges and they instantly absorb new skills,
many times much better than many adults." Joy Fisher-Sykes says, "We know our
efforts are worth it when we see immediate results or when the participants ask us
to come back next year. One young program participant said that it was difficult
growing up as a child. Our program allowed her to voice her concerns about
growing up as a kid and feel comfortable doing it."


Web Site = http://www.thesykesgrp.com

Contact Details = The Sykes Group is a leading provider of leadership, customer
relations, presentation, and motivation solutions for corporations, government
agencies, and universities. The Sykes Group is located at 2133-126 Upton Drive
#234, Virginia Beach, VA 23454. For information on their programs, call
757-427-7027, e-mail info@thesykesgrp.com, or go to www.thesykesgrp.com.