2023 4-H Public Speaking Contest

I had the pleasure of attending the Citrus County Regional 4-H Public Speaking Contest for elementary 4th and 5th grade students, and it was truly inspiring to see these young students showcase their public speaking skills. The event was hosted by the UF/IFAS Extension Citrus County office, and featured 26 students from 13 public and private schools, each of whom had finished in the top two in speech contests at their respective schools.

Public speaking is an essential skill that is often overlooked, but it is a vital skill that students need to learn. It not only helps students to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly, but it also helps them to build confidence and develop their communication skills. Giving students opportunities to practice public speaking at a young age can help them to develop this skill and give them a head start in their personal and professional lives.

The speeches delivered by these elementary students were truly impressive. Each student had chosen a topic that was important to them and had put a lot of effort into preparing their speech. The topics ranged from personal stories to science and technology, and the students’ enthusiasm for their chosen topics was evident in their delivery.

Some of the speeches topics included “The Kid Who Does It All” by Karson Roddenberry from Rock Crusher Elementary, where he talked about his many talents and how he balances them all; “Under the Sea” by Audriena Sapp from Seven Rivers Christian School, where she discussed the importance of preserving the ocean’s ecosystem; and “Medical Advancements” by Nikhil Pasupuleti from Forest Ridge Elementary, where he talked about some of the latest medical breakthroughs.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the judges Jennifer Jordan, Deb Reilly, and George Schmalstig for their time and dedication to this event. Their expertise and feedback were invaluable to the students and helped to make the event a success. I would also like to thank Citrus County Schools, Megan Furniss and Benjamin Davis at the District Office, Sheila James at Seven Rivers, Liz Lazars at Saint John Paull II, the teachers, parents, and contest participants for making this event possible.

Finally, a special thanks to the Citrus County 4-H Foundation and Crystal River Rotary for their generous support in supplying materials and awards for this program. It is because of organizations like these that students have the opportunity to participate in events like this and develop important skills for their future success.

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