The 4-H Public Speaking Contest helps youth develop skills for communicating about current issues and topics important to them. Learning how to organize, research, write and prepare a speech helps youth to learn communication delivery skills, how to present themselves to others and help them to develop self-confidence. Learning to be a good speaker is something that will be useful throughout a student’s lifetime. Good public speakers are made, not born. 4-H public speaking contest gives youth workforce preparation skills and helps them overcome stage fright and teaches them how to overcome or deal with nervousness.
Washington County recently held our 4-H County Public Speaking Contest. We had 40 youth giving speeches at the contest held at Daniel Boone High School. Special thanks to our teachers and leaders for working with the students to have this opportunity. A huge shout out to our judges who took time out of their busy schedules to judge the county event. The first-place county winners will advance to the Upper 8 Eastern Region Competition which is set for March 7, in Carter County.
Top winners were: 4thgrade: first – Lincoln Walker, Ridgeview, second, Dean Martin, Ridgeview & third, Hayden Castro, Ridgeview; 5th grade: first – Jaiden Willis, Cherokee, second, Chase Maden, Telford Homeschool and third Braedon Hubbard, Telford Homeschool. 6th grade: first – Genessa Brown, Jonesborough Middle, second, Ashton Hill, Jonesborough Middle, third, Aaron Burke, Gray. 7th grade: first - Olivia Ogle, Jonesborough Middle, and, second, William Burke, Gray. 8th grade: first – Elizabeth Trigg, Gray and second, Clara Smith, Jonesborough Middle. All participants were winners because they won their school and they competed in the county contest. Each 4-H’er presenting received a purple superior performance ribbon and a gift certificate for a free meal to an area restaurant. The top three received placing ribbons. First place also received a trophy. Special thanks to Jonesborough Kiwanis for assisting with sponsorship for the 2023 Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Contest and to all the judges. Congratulations to all the participants. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” Our 4-H members did just that by presenting their speeches. Thanks to the parents for supporting your children and this event.
