The Franklin County 4-H Public Speaking Contest was held recently with winners announced in grades 4-8.

Hunter Isbell, 4-H Extension agent, said the public-speaking program is one of the most extensive and longest-standing programs offered by the county 4-H program.

“The contest allows any 4-H member in grades fourth through 12th grade to give a prepared speech to an audience from a stage setting,” Isbell explains. “The 4-H member may speak on any topic, but it must be related to 4-H.”

Students are asked to prepare a speech for an allotted time based on their grade level. Each year in Franklin County, more than 3,100 speeches are delivered in classroom 4-H public-speaking contests. Out of these, the first-place winner from each classroom competes for county honors.

“The 4-H staff offered public-speaking workshops to prepare for the county contest and worked with 38 youths,” Isbell said. “Together, 4-H staff and 4-H members brainstormed topic ideas, proofread and edited speeches and strategized personalized delivery skills to help each 4-H member be successful.”

Winners in 4^th grade are: first place, Reese Metcalf from Cowan Elementary; second, Georgia May Tipton from Huntland Elementary; and third, Woods McGill from Broadview Elementary.

Winners in 5^th grade are:  first, Sabrina Cole from Broadview Elementary; second, Aaleah Bell from Winchester Christian Academy; and third, Nora Jane Elrod from Sewanee Elementary.

 Winners in 6^th grade are: first, Eden Kilgore from Winchester Christian Academy; second, Emma Barrett from North Middle School; and third, Keely Ashcraft from Huntland Middle School.

The first-place winner in 7th grade is Kamille Morris from South Middle School.

Winners in 8^th grade are: first, Jasper Henley from South Middle School; second, Summer-Grace Kelly from North Middle School; and third, Neveah Williams from North Middle School.

Summer-Grace Kelly, 8^th grade public-speaker winner said, “I can confidently say that my involvement in 4-H has impacted my life and therefore empowered not only me, but millions of other youth around the world to take a chance, challenge history and be the spark that ignites the flame of positive change.”

Isbell thanked North Middle School for hosting the county contest. He also thanked V.R. Williams & Company for sponsoring the contest and believing in the county’s young people.

About 4-H

4-H is an educational, positive youth-development program of UT Extension-Franklin County and is available to all youth in grades 4-12.

All 4-H programs, such as in-school clubs, project groups or judging teams focus on active involvement and quality educational experiences provided by staff and volunteers.

In addition, Extension offers agricultural and natural-resources programs, family and consumer sciences and resource development.

As a University of Tennessee Extension program, a curriculum for Tennessee 4-H public speaking is developed based on research-based information to assist young people in their learning and development.

The 4-H Public Speaking Contest helps youth develop skills for communicating about current issues to real audiences, learning how to organize and prepare a speech, developing speech-delivery skills and developing self-confidence.

For more information about public speaking or any of the many 4-H activities, call Isbell at 931-967-2741.