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4-H youths face-off in speech competition

For most people, public speaking is a challenge better left to someone else, but 4-Hers in Ponoka area seem to relish the task.
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Senior speaker with the 4-H

For most people, public speaking is a challenge better left to someone else, but 4-Hers in Ponoka area seem to relish the task.

The West Central 4-H Rebel Riders club spent their Feb. 23 afternoon at the Kinsmen Community Centre at a club speech competition. Organizer Shelby Devet said this was the second level of competition and whoever placed first or second would move to the district challenge, which will be held in March at Crestomere School.

There were three different categories: senior, intermediate and junior and they were given two challenges.

“All members are expected to write a speech and it has to be within three to six minutes in length,” said Devet.

For the second challenge, members had to give an impromptu speech. They picked a card out of three that provided a subject and then had one minute to write a speech. Subjects varied from The Worst Food I Ever Had to Buying Something with My Saved Money.

Members had one or two minutes to present their subject.

County Coun. Bryce Liddle was one judge and he enjoyed seeing kids in this setting. “They do amazingly well. I like that it gets them up, gets them communicating.”

He feels this competition is a way to get people out of their comfort zone and provides a means of socializing.

One judge was impressed with the growth of speakers over the years; Katelynn Neddo was a member of 4-H and she feels the kids’ confidence is improving. “The speeches have actually grown.”

“The juniors especially. They have an amazing talent,” she added.

Results:

Junior Division:

• First: Rachel Devet

• Second: Halie Archibald

• Third: Macey McPherson

Intermediate Division:

• First: Megan Bolton

Second: Julianna Harvey

Third: Sarah Archibald

Senior Division:

• First: Shelby Devet

• Second: Tawni Kjenner

• Third: Virginia Harvey