Sweaty palms and quaking voices aside, most 4-H members appreciate the
public speaking experience.
“The kids say ‘I hate this the most’ but they know it’s the best for
them,” said Kathy Hougham, with the Alberta
4-H program. “Most kids recognize the value of it, especially after
they’ve left.”
The competition starts in each club and winners rise through the
district and region to the provincial level.
“It is very well supported and prized,” said Manitoba Agriculture’s 4-H
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manager Debora Lyall. “Absolutely, all the slots are full.”
Prairie 4-H speaking competitions are coming up April 6 in Alberta and
April 13 in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Jonathon Kirsch of Middle Lake, Sask., was one of last year’s winners
with a speech about the future of medicine. This year he’ll be back
competing in the provincial finals with a humourous look at
misconceptions about beef. He said the speaking experience will help
him, especially when it comes to poise during job interviews.
Saskatoon’s Ramada hotel will be the site for Saskatchewan’s 18
finalists in the 4-H public speaking competition. Anyone is welcome to
come hear the speeches, said Linda Richards, leader of the Clavet
Community 4-H light horse club.
Hougham said 14 seniors, representing two from each of Alberta’s seven
4-H regions, will compete at the Calgary Stampede grounds. Unlike the
other two provinces where the competitors use the same speech, Alberta
makes its finalists prepare a speech on the same topic. This year they
are to speak about water issues.
Manitoba has 40 young people competing at Portage la Prairie’s Alliance
Church. That includes junior, intermediate and seniors for the public
speaking, all three levels for the one-person visual demonstration and
intermediate and senior levels for the two-person visuals.
For the winners, there is no national 4-H public speaking competition.
However, Alberta and Manitoba send members, often the top public
speakers, to the Toronto Royal Winter Fair for the Young Speakers in
Agriculture contest.
