Public speaking is a skill that can benefit someone for a lifetime. It takes dedication and a bit of bravery to master this skill at any age, yet most are hesitant to even attempt to speak on a topic, let alone in front of an audience. In this case, Menifee County youth are taking on the challenge of learning this new skill. The ability to enhance and develop communication skills are of great importance to Menifee County and to Kentucky. Menifee County Central Elementary School and Menifee County 4-H have a long history with the 4-H Communications Program.  

          All 4^th, 5^th, and 7^th graders participated in a public speaking contest.  4^th graders and 5^th graders gave speeches in a classroom setting and winners moved on to county, area, and two will compete at State Communications contest in July. 4th grade students are required by their teachers, that their speeches be a persuasive speech.  Topics range from "why cheerleading should be considered the best sport" and "why graffiti should be considered art and not vandalism." Menifee County had three participants move onto the 4-H Area communications contest in the 9-, 10-, and 11-year-old category, and two of those participants moved on to the state competition. 

          4-H Communications program is a great way to teach children that public speaking doesn’t have to be the scary but can be empowering. This program allowed teachers to fit 4-H Communications and speeches into their yearly curriculum, while allowing Menifee FCS/4-H Agent to prepare them for the county, area, and eventually state 4-H contests. This gave students the experience of competing outside of the classroom and their county.