Two 4-H Speech and Public Service Announcement (PSA) Workshops were held last week providing some outstanding results. Seven Burt County 4-H members and their parents attended sessions in Tekamah and Lyons.
These workshops have become one of my favorite activities each year. The 4-H members come in all stages of preparation…some with NO idea what they could talk about, others with a good rough draft and a couple had their speeches prepared and they presented them to me for suggestions.
I sat down with each 4-H member and we started from wherever they were in preparing for the contest. For those that had no idea what to talk about, we brainstormed ideas. We talked about the different projects they took, good and bad things that had happened, and what kind of speech they wanted to give. Most often we tried to work a little humor into their speech, because we all like to laugh and it makes the audience remember their speech.
Other individuals had a good idea about their topic, but needed to add more “meat” to the speech. Together we worked on ideas to beef up their topic in order to meet the time requirements.
Mary Loftis
In a few cases the 4-H member was ready to read their speech to me. WOW! This was almost 3 weeks ahead of the contest! In these cases I praised their good information and helped them power up their introductions, provide different points to their speech (which were already there, but just needed uncovering) and wrapped it all together with a good conclusion.
Seeing their faces come alive with excitement at how a few little changes made so much difference in their speech made the whole night worthwhile.
Another highlight of the workshop was during brainstorming sessions. We’re tossing out ideas, trying to come up with additional information for part of a 4-H member’s speech. As we’re talking out loud, other 4-H members and parents in the room piped up with great suggestions so in the true 4-H motto fashion we were all working together “To Make the Best Better!”
Presentation skills were also discussed with the 4-H members, reminding them to use their voices and speak out loud and clear as they would be talking in a large room, with no microphone. All their efforts would be wasted if their audience didn’t hear their speech. Using good gestures was also emphasized as they make any speech come alive.
Preparations for the PSA contest included reminders to use the “Making a Lasting Impact” theme in their 4-H PSA as well as the UNL Extension tag line. Pacing their speaking rate, emphasis on important words and correct use of sound effects were other topics covered. The 4-H members will use a microphone from the back of the room during the PSA contest as it is a “radio style public service announcement.”
I reminded several 4-H members to pause during their speech and/or PSA…to let what they said sink in with their audience before they started off on another thought.
I can’t wait to see these 4-H members at the 4-H Public Speaking Contest and find out what directions they went with their topics and preparations.
If you have a 4-H member you’d like to encourage to take part in this contest and you’d like some extra help, please give me a call at 402-374-2929 and we’ll make arrangements to make that happen.
The 4-H Public Speaking Contest is Monday, April 21 at the Tekamah Presbyterian Church starting at 6:30, so there is still time to write and learn a speech or PSA. The pre-entry deadline for the contest is at noon April 21 so we can make a program for the event. If you know you’re participating…call now so we make sure we have enough judges…and ice cream!
We want all our 4-H members to be able to speak with great success by participating in the 4-H Public Speaking Contest.
Mary Loftis,
Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929
Fax: (402) 374-2930
Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu
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