Members of local 4-H groups put their public speaking skills to the test during the District 4-H Communications event.
On Sunday, Feb. 24 at Ardmore School, junior, intermediate, and senior level 4-H members went head-to-head in hopes of moving on to the next level of competition.
“At regionals, they often have to create a new speech or presentation for that event,” explained Crystal Dechaine, general leader with the Bonnyville Beef 4-H Club and one of the organizers for this year’s event. “It gives them another place where they can basically practice and perfect it, and then move on if they’re the successful candidates.”
Building public speaking skills for participants is a major component of 4-H, and everyone is required to make a presentation or give a speech to their club, even if they don’t continue on to districts or regionals.
While each age group is held to different standards, the topics for these competitions are open.
This year for example, members decided to talk about cheerleading, dance, Hot Wheels, and bullet journaling.
For senior Bonnyville Beef club member Alex Dechaine, 16, the project gave her the chance to look into cellphones.
“Technology and cellphones are a huge part of our daily life, and I’ve always been curious about how good or bad they are for my body,” she explained.
During her research, Alex was shocked by what she came across.
“I was surprised about it creating a noncancerous tumour on the nerve that connects the brain to the ear. It kind of causes a loss of hearing, but I was surprised that it was a more noncancerous tumour. Just the amount of radiation there was, and all the different effects depending on males, females, and kids.”
Bonnyville Beef intermediate member Maddie Janz chose to explore her hobby of bullet journaling.
“I think it really helps organize your life because it’s a planner, but with your own personal touch,” she said.
Rebecca Moon was a judge for the junior presentations. She was blown away by the finalists this year.
“Normally when I judge them, the kids have a hard time organizing their presentations, but they must have been working with them a lot, because this year they were on-point,” she exclaimed.
Public speaking can be a daunting task, which is why Dechaine was humbled to see everyone step up and take part.
“It’s a scary thing to come and talk, and many adults can’t do it. To see these members embrace it, come up here, and do their presentations or speeches in front of a bunch of people... I know it can be a very overwhelming and scary experience, so for them to be brave, do this, and opt-in, it’s a really special thing.”
The communications event is meant to instill life skills in 4-H members.
Dechaine said, “I think that when it comes to watching their successes grow later on in life, they may not see the seeds being planted now by participating in these events. But, as someone who’s worked with employers closely or been on the hiring end of that, it definitely matters when they’re looking at moving into the employment world where these skills they’re building will serve them well.”
