DUBOIS – On May 4 Clearfield & Jefferson Counties hosted the 19th Annual Bi-County 4-H Public Speaking & Presentation Contest in the Hiller Auditorium of Penn State University – DuBois Campus. The event was open to all Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, and Jefferson County 4-H members, ages 8 through 18, as of Jan. 1. 9 4-H members from Clearfield & Jefferson Counties participated in one of four categories, including Senior Division Public Speaking, Junior Division Public Speaking, Senior Division Presentations, & Junior Division Presentations.
This year, topics included opportunities through 4-H, the proper way to groom horses, protecting pets against ticks, reining horses, swine ear notching, caring for cats, and raising poultry. Individuals entering into the Public Speaking contest where asked to give a 4 to 7 minute original talk on any topic. Participants in this category were only allowed to use note cards; no other illustrative material was allowed to be used. Individuals entering into the Presentation contest where asked to conduct a presentation about a 4-H project, hobby, or activity they have been involved with. Junior Division participants were given up to 8 minutes for their presentation and Senior Division participants were given between 10 and 12 minutes for their presentation.
In the Public Speaking Senior Division competition, Victoria Garner of the Clearfield County 4-H Hot Shots received first place and a monetary award of $20.00. Victoria is the 16 year old daughter of Larry & Karen Garner of La Jose. Receiving second place was Fran McAninch of both the Town & Country 4-H Horse and Pony Club and the Open Range 4-H Club. Fran is the 15 year old daughter of Dan & Phyllis McAninch of DuBois. In the Senior Division Presentation competition, Kathleen Thomas of the Thundering Hoofbeats 4-H Club received first place and a monetary award of $20.00. Kathleen is the 17 year old daughter of Pamela Thomas of Morrisdale. All three young ladies also serve on the Clearfield County 4-H Teen Council.
In the Junior Division Presentation Contest, Amanda Pennington of the Harmon 4-H Club received first place. Amanda is the 11 year old daughter of Faye Pennington of Cherry Tree. Amberley Spicher of the Gateway 4-H Club received second place honors. Amberley is the 11 year old daughter of Marty & Sherri Spicher of Punxsutawney. Third place went to Sydney Turner of the Thundering Hoofbeats 4-H Club. Sydney is the 10 year old daughter of Mark & Sally Turner of Philipsburg. In fourth place was Lauren Turner, also of the Thundering Hoofbeats 4-H Club. Lauren is the 8 year old daughter of Mark & Sally Turner of Philipsburg. Fifth place went to the team of Lauran Lanager and Emma Potter, both of the Growing On 4-H Club. Laura is the 9 year old daughter of Cindy Lanager of Frenchville and Emma is the 10 year old daughter of Greg & Sharon potter of Frenchville. Each junior division participant received a 4-H bag filled with 4-H items. All participants in each category received a certificate of achievement and a ribbon.
Two local individuals served as judges for this year’s contest. Judges for event included Marlene Duttry and Rachel Syktich. Marlene was a former 4-H leader with the Town & Country 4-H Horse and Pony Club and served as volunteer for Clearfield County for 35 years. Marlene currently serves as the owner of At Home Realty Associates, Inc. and as the office manager & closing agent for Blakley & Jones, Attorneys at Law, both of DuBois. Marlene resides in DuBois with her husband Dan and they both enjoy showing and riding their registered Arabian horses. Rachel Syktich is the 20 year old of Paul & Jackie Syktich of DuBois. Rachel is a former Clearfield County 4-H member and currently serves as the Clearfield County Fair Queen. Since being crowned in August of 2009, Rachel has kept busy promoting agriculture by traveling and speaking at over 50 events throughout the county and state. She also continues to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network through the “Queens for Kids” organization. Rachel is a sophomore at DuBois Business College, where she is majoring in the Executive Assistant program with a minor in agriculture business.
The competition was followed by refreshments and an awards ceremony. “A very special thank you goes out to all of the 4-H leaders, parents, and guests that helped support the youth, as well as Penn State – DuBois Campus for allowing us the use of both the Hiller Auditorium and Quiet Lounge.” Jana Lynne Davidson, Children & Youth Development Educator.
4-H is a non-formal youth development educational program of Penn State Cooperative Extension for all youth between the ages of 8 and 19, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, or veteran status. For additional information on the 4-H program, contact Jana Lynne Davidson at the Clearfield County Cooperative Extension Office at (814) 765-7878 Ext. 3 or Susan Alexander at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Office at (814) 849-7361.
