Local meteorologist receives Toastmasters honor

The Westside Toastmasters Club will award local meteorologist Scott Hetsko their Communication and Leadership Award. The award is presented to somebody in the community who demonstrates exemplary communication and leadership skills.

"Mr. Hetsko's outstanding use of voice, gestures and overall presentation skills while delivering his weather forecasts is a fine example of effective communication," Westside Toastmasters Club President Nancy Scott said. "His being an effective meteorologist is a 50/50 combination of his knowledge of the weather systems and for being able to clearly and concisely communicate his forecasts. The same is true for any profession."

Hetsko is the chief meteorologist for WROC TV News 8 at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. in Rochester. He is known locally for the enthusiasm he displays for western New York's climate year round. He came to Rochester in 1999 after earning his bachelor of science degree in meteorology from Penn State University. He says he first fell in love with weather during the Blizzard of 1978. Since then, he has enjoyed forecasting weather, especially winter storms. He has since gone on to receive the seal of approval for television weathercasting from both the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.

A presentation will be made March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Brook Lea County Club at 891 Pixley Road in Gates. Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m. The club meeting will feature a talk from Scott Hetsko and as well as regular club impromptu speaking exercises, prepared speeches and evaluations. The meeting is open to the public. Dinner will be served at the cost of $20. RSVP to Christina Breen-Hale at 720-0742 by February 28.