On May 22, Clearfield & Jefferson Counties hosted the 21st 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. A total of eight 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 the Shooting Sports Safety, Caring for Cats, 100 Years of 4-H, Knot Tying, Cooking, Adventures with Dairy Cattle, & Extra Curricular Activities. 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 up to10 minutes for their presentation.
In the Senior Division Public Speaking Contest, Amanda Pennington of the Harmony 4-H Club in Clearfield County received first place. In the Senior Division Presentation Contest, Victoria Garner of the Clearfield County 4-H Hot Shots received first place. In second place was Amberley Spicher of the Gateway 4-H Club in Jefferson County. Rounding out third place was Brayden Grabany of the Gateway 4-H Club in Jefferson County. All senior division participants received a ribbon, certificate, & monetary award.
In the Junior Division Public Speaking Contest, Andrew Pifer of the Gateway 4-H Club in Jefferson County receive first place. Second place honors went to Benjamin Pifer of the Gateway 4-H Club in Jefferson County. Rounding out third place was Kyrsten Kowalczyk of the Rocky Ridge 4-H Club in Clearfield County. In the Junior Division Presentation Contest, Reece Spicher of the Gateway 4-H Club in Jefferson County received first place. All junior division participants received a ribbon, certificate, & a special award.
Two 4-H alumni served as judges for this year’s contest. Judges for event included Rachel Hicks of DuBois and Morgan Dubensky of Punxsutawney. Rachel Hicks is former Clearfield County 4-H member and is currently a student at IUP Academy of Culinary Arts specializing in Baking & Pastry. Rachel served as Clearfield County Dairy Princess in 2010-2011. Morgan Dubensky is a former Armstrong County 4-H member and is currently a student at Penn State University’s Smeal Business Marketing Program. Morgan currently works for Penn State Extension in Jefferson County as a program assistant.
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. A big thank you also goes out to our wonderful judges for dedicating their time and to Penn State University – DuBois Campus for allowing us the use of both the Hiller Auditorium and Quiet Lounge for our program.” Jana Davidson, 4-H 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 Davidson at Penn State Extension in Clearfield County at (814) 765-7878 Ext. 3 or Susan Alexander at Penn State Extension in Jefferson County at (814) 849-7361.
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