Ponoka News Staff
The speeches were given, the points were tallied and after the dust settled, four 4-H speakers from the area will move on to regionals.
Eighteen young members competed at the 4-H zones Sunday, March 6 speaking competition at the Ponoka Legion as part of the Communication Skills program of the club.
Young speakers in the junior, intermediate and senior categories came from clubs in Ponoka, Crestomere, Rimbey and other nearby communities to show off their prepared and impromptu speaking skills, explained timer and teller Keith Kjenner. The top two seniors and intermediate speakers move on to regionals while the juniors are done for the season.
The biggest challenge during the speech competitions was the impromptu speeches, he added. Sometimes the difference between a win or lose is as a result of the impromptu challenge. “It’s a deal breaker.”
With the prepared speeches 4-H members have already practiced their subjects to the fullest extent and Kjenner suggests getting an edge will come from being able to speak on any subject with little preparation.
“It shows that they’re quick thinking,” he explained.
While all speeches need to have an opening, a closing and a body, Kjenner suggests the best way to prepare is to have family provide the most-ridiculous topics. He feels the speach challenges set members up for future life-skills and many, if not all of the 4-H projects need some type of communication skill set.
Junior winners:
First: Nicole Groenveld, Winfield Beef speaking on Bill 6;
Second: Quinn Going-Rycroft, Winfield Beef on Two Dollars and Half a Chicken.
Intermediate winners:
First: Emma-Lee Rust, Crestomere Multi on Women’s Rights;
Second: Mackenzie Gillard, Crestomere Multi on Have You Ever Thought About it.
Senior Winners:
First: Isabell Stamm, Crestomere Multi on Can You See Me?
Second: Megan Bolton, East Ponoka Beef on Brave or Confused.
Senior regionals are set for Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Hall and intermediates for Sunday, March 20 at New Norway.