This past month, Union County 4-Hers were hard at work preparing and rehearsing their speeches for the County Public Speaking Contest. Competitors and their families gathered at Horace Maynard Middle School the evening of January 20th to hear a variety of speeches on everything from historical figures to personal experiences. The 4-H organization believes public speaking is a vital skill for our youth. Through contests like these 4-Hers learn to communicate effectively, build self-esteem, and sharpen a variety of other skills such as organization, critical thinking, and research. Union County 4-H Agent, Olivia Howard, tries to stress the importance of this skill to her 4-Hers knowing that no matter what path they choose in life there will come a time when they must address a group of their peers in a setting very similar to public speaking. While competing in public speaking offers a great way to develop marketable skills, it also provides opportunities for 1st place winners to advance to either the Big 9 Sub-Regional contest for 4th- 8th graders or the Regional Senior 4-H contest for 9th- 12th graders. Those attending the Regional Senior 4-H contest can also win their way to the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest held during 4-H Congress in March where they will compete for cash prizes and scholarships. The following 4-Her’s placed 1st in their grade and have received an invitation to represent Union County at their respective contests: 12th – Kaleb Hanna, 11th – Jessie Garcia, 10th – Travis Hanna, 9th – Meradeth Whitley, 8th – Gracie Tindell, 6th – Silas Whitley, 5th – Mckenzie Muncey, 4th – Ella Ryder. We would also like to acknowledge the rest of our participants for their hard work, they are as follow: Jeremiah Tindell, Jonathan Tindell, Ben Woods, Zeeva Boucher, Shelby Queener, Kenny Greene, Truett Davis, Arabella Nicely, Katelyn Lane, Carson Hayes, Jade Liberty, Bailee Sweet, Willow Lewis, Deacon Collins, Lynnsi Bailey, Trip Webb, Hayden Welch, Steven Chapman. A special thank you is also in order for all of the 4-Hers, parents and volunteers who helped make all this possible whether they were registering participants, judging speeches or even baking cookies for refreshments. We look forward to another great contest next year. If you are interested in helping with public speaking in the future, please contact the Extension Office.
Also wrapping up this month was the 4-H Poster Contest where 4-Hers express their artistic abilities while promoting their favorite club. Posters are entered into the local contest during club time and all blue-ribbon winners advance on to the county contest where three posters are then selected to move on to the regional contest. A select few are then sent to the State 4-H Poster Contest to represent the Eastern Region and compete for cash prizes. After receiving several posters from the schools of Union County, our judge was able to narrow down to three winners who will represent Union County in the regional contest. Placing 3rd in the county contest is 4th grader Trip Webb from Big Ridge Elementary. 2nd place goes to Lane Dyer, a 5th grader from Big Ridge Elementary, and our 1st place winner is Paulette Elementary 5th grader Jordyn Tharp. The community also had the chance to cast their votes for the People’s Choice winner through Union County Extension’s Facebook. After several shares and likes, Shelby Queener a 5th grader from Sharps Chapel Elementary won with 112 votes.
1st Place- Jordyn Tharp 2nd Place- Lane Dyer 3rd Place- Trip Webb