Communication is an essential life skill that 4-H promotes and targets. This life skill leads to the building of confidence for youth. Skills are best learned through practice which is where the 4-H Communications Program works to provide many experiences and opportunities to offer reinforcement of the various techniques within communications, including written as well as public speaking communication. According to the “Targeting Life Skills Model”, communication, as a life skill, falls under the “H” that represents Heart which focuses on the development of relating and caring. 

This year, for the 2017-2018 4-H Program year, Owen County 4-H made a huge difference in the lives of every 4^th grader in the Owen County School System.  In February, the 4-H Agent set up a meeting with the principal of the Upper Elementary School to develop an enrichment opportunity to include all 4^th graders that would lead up to a 4-H speech. After the initial lessons, youth were given the task of preparing their own speech on a topic of their interest. In March, the youth finally gave their speeches. After all of the 4^th grade youth completed their communication project, an evaluation was given and the results were great. The results proved that practicing builds more confidence in themselves. 70% of the youth that had completed the evaluation shared that they felt comfortable enough to give another speech in front of a group of people.

This accomplishment was not the end for this program year. As a result of the 4^th grade communications enrichment program, six of the youth that had completed their communications project at the school were interested in preparing a speech for the county level 4-H Communications Event in April. As a result of this interest, a Communications Workshop was offered to prepare and practice for the Communications Event. Ten youth attended, where at this workshop an older sibling of one youth became interested and decided to compete at the county level as well. The county level 4-H Communications Event had fourteen participants, which included the six 4^th grade youth from the school enrichment communications program. Five youth were selected to move on the District Event which led to three youth moving to the State Event in July. 

Four of the youth that competed at the county level have enrolled in other 4-H clubs and activities such as the Variety Show, where they ended up winning a blue ribbon and champion. The outcome of this communications program has led to the building of confidence in youth that will strengthen many other life skills that are essential to youth development. Through this communications program Owen County 4-H has provided a positive youth development experience that has sparked interest in other avenues for youth to grow.