4-Hers sharpen speaking skills in competition
NORWICH – Youth in Chenango County’s 4-H Program tested their knowledge and presentation skills Saturday during one of the program’s biggest annual events, the 4-H Public Presentations.
The 4-H presentations are an opportunity for 4-H members to practice their abilities in public speaking and arrangement in front of an audience during a countywide contest. Members learn how to research a topic and present what they learned to a panel of adult judges, who then discuss with them how to better improve their presentation skills for the following year.
Top presenters in this contest move on to a regional competition, along with the highest scoring presenters from Broome, Tioga, Deleware and Otsego counties. It’s a nerve-racking process for 4-H members, but the skills developed are beneficial to their future, said 4-H Community Educator Jennifer Sienko.
“This is a learning process for them,” she explained, highlighting the value of public speaking. “It’s really setting them up for success … Especially in today’s job market, you’ve got to have an edge in interviews.”
Volunteer judges looked at certain criteria when scoring each presenter. 4-H members chose from one of seven presentation methods: Speech; video and film; demonstration; recitation; illustrated talk; dramatic interpretation; and an open category, where kids chose a method that doesn’t fall into any other category. A separate category is also established for horse presentations and another for Cloverbuds – children under eight years of age.
“Kids get very nervous … Some of them have backed out of the contest, which is really too bad,” Sienko added.
“Any 4-H Alumni will tell you that Public Presentation is the most important project they ever did,” said 4-H treasurer Louise Butcher. Notable 4-H members include John Glenn, Reba McEntire, Johnny Cash and Al Gore – all of whom made public presentations as a past 4-H member, she added. “Public speaking is one of the most important life skills they can develop.”
Top presenters will be traveling to the Chenango Forks School District for regional competitions in March.
The 4-H presentations are an opportunity for 4-H members to practice their abilities in public speaking and arrangement in front of an audience during a countywide contest. Members learn how to research a topic and present what they learned to a panel of adult judges, who then discuss with them how to better improve their presentation skills for the following year.
Top presenters in this contest move on to a regional competition, along with the highest scoring presenters from Broome, Tioga, Deleware and Otsego counties. It’s a nerve-racking process for 4-H members, but the skills developed are beneficial to their future, said 4-H Community Educator Jennifer Sienko.
“This is a learning process for them,” she explained, highlighting the value of public speaking. “It’s really setting them up for success … Especially in today’s job market, you’ve got to have an edge in interviews.”
Volunteer judges looked at certain criteria when scoring each presenter. 4-H members chose from one of seven presentation methods: Speech; video and film; demonstration; recitation; illustrated talk; dramatic interpretation; and an open category, where kids chose a method that doesn’t fall into any other category. A separate category is also established for horse presentations and another for Cloverbuds – children under eight years of age.
“Kids get very nervous … Some of them have backed out of the contest, which is really too bad,” Sienko added.
“Any 4-H Alumni will tell you that Public Presentation is the most important project they ever did,” said 4-H treasurer Louise Butcher. Notable 4-H members include John Glenn, Reba McEntire, Johnny Cash and Al Gore – all of whom made public presentations as a past 4-H member, she added. “Public speaking is one of the most important life skills they can develop.”
Top presenters will be traveling to the Chenango Forks School District for regional competitions in March.
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