4-H Public Speaking Contest a Great Success!!

4-H Public Speaking Contest a GREAT Success!

Twenty five Burt County 4-H members conquered one of the highest listed personal fears, the fear of public speaking. They did it by taking part in one or more events during the Burt County 4-H Public Speaking Contest last Monday, April 6^th. They didn’t just conquer any fears they might have, they made it look easy!

The most non-threatening contest is the Public Service Announcement or PSA contest which is a 60 second 4-H commercial given from the back of the room. Lucas Niewohner and his sister Hayley Niewohner of Tekamah tried out this contest for the first time by using the First Timer Pre-written Script. They both received blue ribbons for their efforts.

In the Original Script PSA Division, Paul Roscoe of Lyons took home champion honors in the Junior Division (ages 8-10). Madison Enstrom of Shawnee, KS used the telephone to call in her PSA to participate in the contest for the first time. She received reserve champion honors as well as winning the Pork Award in the Junior Division. Also in the Junior Division Caleb and Andrew Schlichting, both of Lyons received blue ribbons on their PSAs.

In the Intermediate PSA Division (ages 11-13) Cody Bachtell of Tekamah won champion honors while Faith Roscoe of Lyons earned Reserve Champion honors. Gavin Enstrom also called in his PSA via the telephone from Kansas to earn a purple ribbon and the pork award.

The Senior Division of the PSA contest was lonely with only Michael Bracht of West Point participating. However he handled it well as this was his first contest experience and he received champion honors.

The 4-H Speech Contest had participants moving to the front of the room to share their information with the group.

The 4-H Clover Kids (ages 5-7) got the chance to try out the contest by doing a “show and tell.”

Karley Eriksen of Craig fearlessly started out the contest by sharing her love of history and her trip to Washington D. C. with pictures and a book of the presidents.

Hope Roscoe of Lyons shared a postcard photo of her favorite animal in Florida, the Manatee. Veona Hladky of Tekamah explained how to make an alcohol ink decorated tile for a 4-H project.  Linden Anderson of Lyons proved she was ready to get in the ring with her pigs when she’s old enough during her show and tell titled “Ready to Show.”

Elijah Schlichting of Lyons explained how to make a No Sew Pillow like he did at Clover Kid Camp last summer. Tate Penke of Craig showed his “super hero” collection and explained what special powers each of them had while looking like a superhero himself. Little brother Ty Penke (age 5) also wore a Spiderman costume and showed how well his Spiderman toy could do the splits!

If you thought this contest sounded like fun, you would be right!

The Junior Division speech competition (ages 8-10) becomes a little more serious, but Arianne Brokaw started out her speech by singing “Arianne Had a Farm” to the tune of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” They raise chickens and get 5 eggs a day, so she said they can’t afford to break any of them if you want to sell them! She received the big purple champion ribbon for her efforts.

Elise Anderson of Lyons earned the Reserve Champion ribbon for humorously explaining about their family 4-H baking mishaps.

Paul Roscoe of Lyons received a purple for his speech “All about Pottery,” while Muriel Brokaw of Lyons discussed her pets: Chester, Henry and Boo and the chores she does to care for them. She also received a purple ribbon for her speech.

Andrew Schlichting of Lyons highlighted his 4-H year which included rockets, rabbits, robots and much more! He received a blue ribbon.

Caleb Schlichting also of Lyons discussed the importance of farming and explained there are 2.2 million farms in the United States. He received a blue ribbon.

John Roscoe of Lyons shared step by step directions on how to make a metal punch decoration including the sound effects of him using a hammer: “Bam! Ouch! Bam! Ouch!” He also received a blue ribbon.

In the Intermediate Division – ages 11-13 Faith Roscoe of Lyons received a purple ribbon and champion honors for her speech on Mighty Mini’s, their miniature horses. Brayden Anderson of Lyons won the reserve champion ribbon as well as the pork award for his speech relating his 4-H experiences to baseball. Rayna Hladky of Tekamah received a blue ribbon for her informative speech comparing organic to conventional grown foods.

In the Senior Division – ages 14-18 Amelia Schlichting of Lyons went home with champion honors for her speech on the history of 4-H. Michael Bracht of West Point earned a blue ribbon for his speech on his 4-H robotics program experiences and competition. Wrapping up the senior division was Ellie Glup of Tekamah with her speech on “The Do’s and Don’ts of 4-H Speech” She received a blue ribbon and the pork award.

The continued growth of this activity is really exciting. It’s fun to think what great futures these 4-H members will have, thanks at least in part as a result of their experiences in the 4-H public speaking program.

4-H Favorite Foods Contest:

Don’t forget! The Burt County 4-H Favorite Foods Day Contest is set for this Saturday, April 18^th at the Craig Fire Hall. The contest will begin at 10:00 a.m. with set-up available at 9:45 a.m. Call the Nebraska Extension Office in Burt County at 402-374-2929 to register by noon Friday, April 17^th. Also call if you have any questions about the 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

All smiles after participating in the 4-H Public Service Announcement Contest were: Faith Roscoe, Paul Roscoe, Michael Bracht, Caleb Schlichting, Cody Bachtell, Andrew Schlichting, Lucas Niewohner and Hayley Niewohner.
Photo Credit/Mary Loftis.