Fear of speaking in front of an audience ranks as one of the top things people fear most.  But becoming an effective public speaker is the difference between success and failure in life.  (Fischlschweiger, S. 2018, Public Speaking:  A Vital Skill for All Youth).  

In Kentucky, providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is important.   The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006).

4-H helps young people overcome the fear of speaking in front of others and develop the vital skills of public speaking.  Beginning with county contests during the early months of the program year then holding area level contests to determine area qualifiers that advance to the state level contest known as 4-H Communications Day.

This year 181 youth participated in State 4-H Communications Day.  These youth gained knowledge and valuable experience in public speaking through county and area contests.  They have completed research on a topic of their choice, wrote a speech or demonstration and then presented a speech or demonstration in practices then contests to reach the highest level of their participation.  Of these youth, 168 youth demonstrated effective presentation skills by attaining a blue ribbon, indicated by scoring in the range of 80-100 points.   

Two Montgomery County youth completed a successful journey from county to area to state by placing within the top three finalists of the categories in which they competed.  One youth competed in two sections of the contest which included Speech Contest and Mock Job Interview contest.  This particular youth won her age division in speech and placed in the top three finalists in interviews.  The other participant won reserve champion honors in his age division of the speech contest.  Both set a goal three to four years ago to win their divisions at state.  The journey was successful for both.