BARRHEAD – Three 4H groups in the Barrhead area competed in the Communication Public Speaking competition on Feb. 22 are sending winners to the regional competition in Edson March 8.
“Public speaking gives the kids a chance to showcase their skills in a different venue,” said Kerry Messmer, District Communications event organizer.
“4H kids are noticed at different levels later as they grow up. Teachers say they can speak clearly, and they can talk in front of people.”
Felicity DeVries was the first-place winner in the junior speech category with “The seasons of the Sheep Farm” and an impromptu speech on “When I graduate I will…”
First place winner in the intermediate category was Owen Miedema with a speech on “the Fur Trade” and an impromptu speech on “Cleanliness in my room…”
In the senior speech category Charlie Brendzan impressed with a speech titled “The Trio” and an impromptu speech on “Good manners make life easier”.
Isabella Kremp was the first-place winner in the junior presentation category with “A Trip to the Horsey Dentist”.
First place winner in the intermediate category was Bronwyn Zwicker with a presentation titled “Buckles, Banners and Beyond”.
Mason Zwicker placed first in the senior presentation category with the “OH, What an Opportunity!” presentation.
Kids that come to district public speaking are winners from their own club events - the Freedom Naples multi-club, the Metaview multi-club and T&M multi-club each entered speakers in the competition.
There were six presentations and 24 speeches in this year’s communication event, according to Messmer.
Kids who compete must do a prepared speech plus an impromptu speech.
The impromptu speech is where competitors are given three topics to choose from and they must talk for one to two minutes on the subject.
Presentation competitors must set their equipment and presentation up themselves, give their presentation and then answer questions from the judges.
Presentation times are different for junior presentations at three to five minutes and seniors had to be four to six minutes.
Speech lengths match the presentation guidelines by category where junior speeches are three to five minutes, and intermediate speeches are four to six minutes.
All clubs have district sponsors who provide prizes for the first and second place winners, according to Messmer.
Nine judges are brought in from throughout the community.
They provide the competing kids with well written comments.
Kids try to memorize their work because they are not supposed to read from cue cards during the speech or presentation.
Second place winners in the speech categories were Devery Greilach, Cyrus Pena Anderson, and Pamela Properzi.
Second place winners in the presentation categories Eden Massa and Ashlyn Hillmer.
Volunteer parents, grandparents and community members assist in making the event happen and Messmer thanked them all for their support.
