PORT ORCHARD — Contestants for the 2018 Fathoms O’ Fun royalty court tried out their platform speeches before an audience of avid listeners Jan. 9-10.

The listeners — the Port Orchard Toastmasters Club — also were evaluators who had been asked to provide feedback to the contestants about the young speechmakers’ delivery and mannerisms during their initial presentation, said Bill Slach, Club 6171 secretary/treasurer.

The feedback by Toastmasters from Bremerton, Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula and Port Orchard should come in handy for the contestants. Speaking in public will be an element they’ll be judged on when the finalists are evaluated.

The Port Orchard club meets from 6:30-8 p.m. every Tuesday at the Park Vista Retirement community at Jackson and Lund. A six-week-long “Speechcraft” course will be offered to the public beginning Feb. 13. Class size is limited to 10. The cost of the course is $25, or $20 for seniors and students.

Call Slach at 360-895-8519 for more information.