The University of Illinois Extension recently held a multi-county 4-H Public Speaking Contest. Participants aged 8–18 from Bureau, LaSalle, and Marshall-Putnam Counties showcased their public speaking skills at Illinois Valley Community College. The contest included divisions for formal speech, illustrated speech, oral interpretation, and original works. Top performers received a state delegate promotion. 4-H is a youth development program of the University of Illinois Extension, aimed at empowering young individuals for future careers through hands-on activities.
There were four divisions that youth could register for Formal Speech Division (youth share their perspective on a topic of their choice with a speech intended to motivate, persuade, or inform an audience), Illustrated Speech Division (speeches may inform, persuade, or motivate the audience with the use of a visual aid and may include audience participation), Oral Interpretation Division (presentations must be previously published works or manuscripts), and Original Works Division (presentations must be published works, manuscripts, or transcripts). All speakers were awarded a blue ribbon. special award winners from this year’s competition are as follows:
Formal Speech Division:
- Daphne Heeley for her speech on the effects of classical music on the brain. She received a state delegate promotion from Marshall-Putnam Counties.
- Myracle Johnson for her speech on clay. She received a state delegate promotion and the “Best Overall Speech” award for LaSalle County.
- Kiryn Schaer for her heartfelt speech on FFA. She received a state delegate promotion and the “Best Overall” award for Marshall-Putnam Counties.
- Rita Claire McLaughlin for her speech on the importance of communication amongst family members. She received a state delegate promotion for LaSalle County.
Illustrated Speech Division:
- James Castelli for his speech on the Soviet Venera 7 space mission to Venus using photographs for enhancement. He received a state delegate promotion for LaSalle County.
Oral Interpretation Speech Division:
- Karlie Schultz for her rendition of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! By Jon Scieszka. Karlie received a state delegate promotion and the “Best Overall Speech” award from Bureau County as well as the “Best Overall Speech” recognition from all counties.
Original Works Speech Division:
- Gwen and Josephine Heeley for their team entry about moving from Naperville to a farm in Putnam County. The team received a state delegate promotion from Marshall-Putnam Counties.
- Hayden Meachum for her “King Kong on a Sunday Morning” speech. She received a state alternate ribbon from Marshall-Putnam Counties.
