Public Speaking Contest

This program is designed to give 4-H’ers experience in the preparation and delivery of a 4-H related speech. This contest requires 4-H’ers to recognize, organize, and present information on a given topic. The timed speech must be orderly and thorough. 4-H’ers must acquire the ability to speak convincingly in public, expressing ideas effectively with poise and confidence.

Participation Criteria

    • Junior 4-H’ers must be 8-10 years old by September 1 of the current program year.
    • Intermediate 4-H’ers must be 11-13 years old by September 1 of the current program year.
    • Senior 4-H’ers must be 14-18 years old by September 1 of the current program year.

General Regulations

    • Speech must be original and specifically related to 4-H in a demonstrable way. The entire speech does not necessarily have to feature 4-H, but every contestant must, at some point in his/her speech, mention 4-H and its relationship to the material being presented. Contestants who break this rule will be subject to penalization by the judges
    • Speech must have been specifically prepared for, as part of, the 4-H Public Speaking Contest.
    • All requirements set forth in general regulations for participation in the Florida 4-H University must be satisfied for senior participants at the state level.
    • Participants must be currently enrolled in the 4-H Public Speaking Project.
    • Speeches by senior 4-H’ers should be no less than 5 and no more than 7 minutes in length.
    • Speeches by junior and intermediate 4-H’ers should be no less than 3 and and no more than 7 minutes in length.
    • Contestants whose speeches ignore the outlined time specifications and reference to 4-H will be subject to penalization as outlined on the score sheet.
    • Previous first place 4-H Public Speaking Contest winners at state competition are not eligible to compete in this event.
    • 4-H members should refer to the 4-H Public Speaking Project Guide and Record Book for helpful suggestions in preparing their speeches.
    • Participants may refine their speeches between district and state competition, but the content should not change dramatically.
    • Individual participation only, no team demonstrations will be allowed.

Participation Procedures and Quotas:

County Requirements:

  • The two winners in each age division (senior, intermediate & junior) at the county level may participate at the district level event

District Requirements:

  • Three type written, double spaced copies of each speech; including topic, name, age, date, and county on the front must be submitted to the District Chairperson at least one week prior to the event.
  • The District Chairperson is responsible for delivering speech copies to the appropriate agent/leader in charge of the event who will then send them on to the judges for reading prior to the event.

State Requirements:

  • The top two senior district winners who won blue ribbons are eligible to compete at the state level.
  • Entries must have completed at the county and district levels.
  • Three type-written, double-spaced copies of each speech; including topic, name, age, date, county, and district on the front; must be submitted to State 4-H Headquarters: Event Operations, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110225, Gainesville, FL 32611-0225, no later than the deadline printed on the Annual 4-H Calendar (typically June 1). Speeches received after the deadline will be ineligible.
  • It is the responsibility of the District winner’s 4-H agent to send three copies of the speech to the State Headquarters: Event Operations prior to the deadline

Awards

  • Blue, Red, and White awards will be awarded based on quality of performance. First, second, and third place will be awarded to the highest scoring individuals.

Three type-written, double – spaced copies of each speech; including topic, name, age, date, county, and district on the front; must be submitted to the State Headquarters: Event Operations, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110225, Gainesville, FL 32611-0225, no later than the deadline printed on the Annual 4-H calendar (typically June 1). Speeches received after the deadline will be ineligible. It is the responsibility of the District winner’s 4-H agent to send 3 copies of the speech to the State Headquarters: Event Operations.

 

For more information, contact Georgene Bender.