My career as a public speaker began in high school. One of my gigs was reciting the Gettysburg Address at Memorial Day Services. I also won a trophy for a patriotic speech I wrote and delivered to the Veterans Of Foreign Wars.  It was during the Vietnam War. I think I won as much for my short hair and lack of beard as for my speech.

But I most enjoyed announcing at Benson Polytechnic, my high school. I announced the annual talent show (wearing my first-ever rented tuxedo) for two years with my friend Harrison West, until a better announcer came along. We still did a joint reading of Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales at the Christmas assembly until we graduated.

I also delivered a half-dozen humorous monologues at “entertainment” assemblies. There’s something you’ll never see again: an entertainment assembly. George Carlin and Steve Martin had nothing to worry about. 

CONTINUED NEXT WEEK