Arrived “shy and reserved”
From reserved high schooler to Miss Teen India-World
Esha attended the workshops twice and gave at least 12 speeches. What followed was a run of titles — and a TEDx Youth event she hosted at her own high school.
Esha Kode
Hamilton Township, NJ · Hybrid · Since 2015
Where youth leaders have been made since 2015.
Seven children to a group. Twenty-five speeches. Four levels. Every one of them ends on a stage in front of independent judges — and the results have names you can look up.
250+
Youth leaders trained
45
Workshops run
22
DSITalks showcases
Max 7
Children per group
Registrations are open
One level, twelve Sundays, one stage at the end
4 levels · 12 weeks each
Group size
Max 7
Everyone speaks, every session
Meets
Sundays
1½–2 hours
Format
Hybrid
In Hamilton Township, NJ or live online
Ends with
DSITalks
Judged by independent judges
Register for a workshopSee the calendar
Groups cap at 7, so spots fill in the order families claim them.
Receipts, not adjectives
Where DSI students end up
Every name below appears in our program booklet. These are the children who walked in — several of them described as shy and reserved — and what happened next.
Started as a middle schooler
Became a debater who wins at UPenn and Yale
Sugi gave at least 25 speeches on her way through all four levels, emerging as a Distinguished Youth Leader in 2023. She has carried the skills straight into national competition.
Sugi Arunagiri
Started in middle school
Top-8 in New Jersey debate — and now teaching the next group
Gayatri presented at least 25 speeches on the way to Distinguished Youth Leader in 2023. In November 2025 she came back to lead the second Speak in a Snap workshop for elementary schoolers, sponsored by DSI.
Gayatri B Krishnan
12 Distinguished Youth Leadershave earned DSI's highest award since 2021.
See the full Wall of Honor →The DSI difference
Seven children. Twenty-five speeches.
A typical eight-week public-speaking class puts about fifteen children in a room and gives each of them roughly three prepared speeches. One of them presents at the showcase.
- Group size
- 7 max
- vs ~15 typical
- Prepared speeches
- 25+
- vs ~3
- Who presents at the showcase
- Everyone
- vs One child
4 progressive levels · 12 weeks each
A path, not a one-off class
Most programs end after eight weeks. DSI is a ladder a child can climb for years, with a real award at the top.
- Level 1YLC
Competence
Your child stands up and speaks. Six times, in twelve weeks.
- By the end
- 6+ speeches
- Evaluations
- 4 evaluations
- Level 2YLB
Bronze
They start running the room, and they start debating.
- By the end
- 13+ speeches
- Evaluations
- 8 evaluations
- Level 3YLS
Silver
Polish. Persuasion. And their first turn as a coach.
- By the end
- 19+ speeches
- Evaluations
- 12 evaluations
- Level 4YLG
Gold
Servant leadership, community service, and a plaque with their name on it.
- By the end
- 25+ speeches
- Evaluations
- 16 evaluations
Finish all four → Distinguished Youth Leader
25+ prepared speeches, 40 impromptu rounds, 16 evaluations, four turns chairing the meeting, a stint as Coach's Assistant, and verified community service — recognised with a plaque.
High School Graduation Speaker, 2026
Sugi Arunagiri, Distinguished Youth Leader · Princeton-bound — started DSI as a middle schooler · 5:10
In their own words
What families actually write to us
“I coach Robotics where V and A are participants. Yesterday, we had a regional competition and our team came out as champions! I have seen tremendous progress in them both. I have to thank you and DSI for bringing that communication and leadership skill in them.”
“Sugi won Best Delegate Small Committee & Honorable Mention Full Committee in the Yale Model Congress Competition this week, like she did at UPenn last time. Our heartfelt gratitude & appreciation for your help through DSI which has been shaping her abilities to do the best & helping her in becoming a better speaker & person.”
“Destination Speech is truly a hidden gem. Priya, you managed to motivate my daughter to the point where she truly enjoyed coming to your classes.”
Outcomes
What actually changes at home
- Stands up and speaks without being asked twice
- Handles impromptu questions and Q&A without freezing
- Chairs a meeting, keeps time, and moves an agenda
- Moderates a debate and argues both sides on demand
- Gives feedback that is specific, kind and useful
- Walks into interviews, auditions and presentations prepared
Meet your coach
Priya S. Sundararaman, DTM
Founder & Leadership Coach
A Distinguished Toastmaster — Toastmasters' highest educational award — and a former Distinguished Area Director who led her corporate club to President's Distinguished status four years running. A youth leadership mentor since 2012, Priya founded DSI in December 2015 as a social entrepreneurship effort, and has delivered several hundred speech evaluations since.
DSI's mission is to make a difference in the life of every child that walks through its doors, instilling confidence to put their best foot forward.
How to join
Four steps. The first two take about five minutes.
- 1
Read the booklet
The full program booklet — all four levels, every speech project, the award list and the registration form — is a free download.
- 2
Ask us anything
Email Destinationspeechimp@gmail.com with a question, or send the short form on this site. You will hear back within 1–2 business days.
- 3
Register and hold the spot
Send the completed registration form back and we will confirm the deposit that holds the place. Groups cap at 7, so spots go quickly.
- 4
Twelve Sundays to the stage
Orientation, then twelve Sunday sessions of 1½–2 hours in Hamilton Township or live online, ending at the DSITalks Grand Finale.
Talk to us
Tell us about your child. We'll tell you if it's a fit.
Ask about fit, a specific level, the hybrid option, or whether a spot is still open. Coach Priya replies personally, usually within 1–2 business days.
Destinationspeechimp@gmail.com
The fastest way to reach us
Phone
732-642-7515
Coach Priya
In person
Mercerville Hall
2333 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, Suite C, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
Meets
Sundays, 1½–2 hours
12 sessions per level · hybrid, in person or live online