Overall, youth in Clark County report that speaking in front of a group of their peers is intimidating. Teachers in Clark County Schools share that fostering the development of public speaking gives youth the confidence needed to pursue future endeavors. As a community, Clark County strives to focus on work and career readiness. The Clark County 4-H Communication Contest had a participation of 826 participants in 2018. Thirty-seven classrooms, ranging from 4th to 8th grade completed the Clark County 4-H Communication Contest. Every private and public school participated. Twenty-one youth completed the Mock Interview Contest from the Teen and Junior Leadership Clubs and five youth participated in the Demonstration Contest. Of these youth, fifteen advanced to the Bluegrass Area Contest and four to the State Contest. Through guidance and support from teachers, volunteers and the Clark County Extension Service 4-H’ers were able to develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising and editing in their classrooms. Eight-five community volunteers were trained to evaluate the students’ speeches through an online video developed by Clark County 4-H Youth Development Agent, heather Cassill. Youth were able to report on a topic or text, tell a story or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts, and relevant descriptive details to support main ideas or themes. Through presenting their speech 4-H’ers learned to speak clearly and publically at an understandable pace. 100% of youth who participated in the 4-H Communication Contest in 2018 reported gaining the skill of writing a speech, increased levels in confidence, improved communication skills and the ability to expressive oneself through speech. 100% of youth that participated in the Mock Interview Contest reported that they learned a skill that they can further develop for their future career aspirations. Some of the personal stories help make the contest even more special. One of the teachers shared that she had a student that whispered when he spoke and when he got up to give his speech that day she didn’t know what to expect. She said when he got up and spoke it was the most amazing thing, he used a regular speaking voice. The local Rowland Arts Teen Center Director stated that his mentors and staff worked with students with their speeches afterschool in their at risk teen program. Students also used speeches as a tool to tell their story, heal and help let others know who they are by giving speeches on adoption, foster care or an accident that their beloved Grandmother endured. Speeches are meaningful in different ways. Volunteer speech judges are amazed by these students and what they have learned. Judges return to judge the speech contest every year because they know and they state how important the communication program is to Clark County youth.