County Events can change your child’s life!

1. Confidence Building: County Events provides a platform for youth to overcome their fear of speaking in front of others. Through practice and exposure, participants gradually build confidence in their ability to express themselves effectively.
2. Communication Skills: Engaging in County Events hones communication skills such as articulation, clarity, and organization of thoughts. Participants learn how to convey their ideas persuasively and connect with their audience.
3. Leadership Development: Public speaking is often synonymous with leadership. By participating in County Events, youth develop leadership qualities such as poise, decisiveness, and the ability to inspire and influence others.
4. Critical Thinking: Crafting a compelling presentation requires critical thinking skills. Youth learn how to research, analyze information, and form coherent arguments to support their viewpoints.
5. Personal Growth: County Events fosters personal growth by pushing youth outside their comfort zones. Overcoming challenges, receiving feedback, and striving for improvement contribute to their overall development.
6. Resilience: Not every presentation will be perfect, but learning to bounce back from setbacks is an essential life skill. Youth develop resilience as they face challenges, adapt to feedback, and continue to refine their speaking abilities.

If all of this sounds like something you want for your child, you may have some questions.

How does County Events work?

County Events provide a dynamic platform for youth to showcase their talents. On the day of the event, participants will present their prepared speeches or demonstrations. Each presenter will have the opportunity to share their insights with a panel of judges, followed by a Share-the-Fun session where talents are showcased.

Why should my child participate?

Participating in the 4-H Public Speaking Contest offers numerous benefits for your child’s personal and academic growth. Alumni consistently rank public speaking as the number one skill they learned in 4-H. By participating, your child will cultivate resilience, confidence, and effective communication skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

What if my child is nervous?

It’s completely normal for children to feel nervous about public speaking. In fact, public speaking consistently ranks as the top fear among Americans. However, the 4-H Public Speaking Contest provides a supportive environment for children to overcome their fears and develop invaluable skills.

What is a Demonstration?

A Demonstration is a presentation that illustrates how to do something. It allows participants to showcase their expertise in a particular subject matter by providing practical demonstrations and explanations.

What is an Illustrated Talk?

An Illustrated Talk is a presentation accompanied by visual aids that educates or persuades the audience on a specific topic. It allows participants to convey their message effectively using images, props, or multimedia presentations.

What is Share-the-Fun?

Share-the-Fun is a talent showcase where participants can showcase their talents in various forms, including singing, dancing, playing instruments, and more. It’s a fantastic opportunity for children to express themselves creatively and gain confidence in performing in front of an audience.

What topic should my child choose?

Your child can choose any topic that interests them. However, County Events also offer a chance to enhance their existing 4-H projects. For instance, if your child participated in showing a pig at the fair, they could deliver an Illustrated Talk on pig showmanship, enriching their overall project experience.

What do winners get?

All participants receive recognition for their efforts, with junior-senior participants earning white, red, or blue ribbons based on their performance. Blue ribbon winners are invited to compete at District Events, with senior winners at the district level advancing to the state competition at 4-H University.

Ok, I’m convinced. When is it, and how do I register?

Encourage your child to seize this opportunity to challenge themselves, grow, and showcase their talents. The event will be held on April 5 at 5pm at the Ag Auditorium in Newberry. Registration is open in 4-H Online now through Friday, March 22. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Also, the handbook with all of the details can be found here.

0