The Greenup County 4-H Youth Development Agent, Presley Grubb, has been working with school principal, Misty Tackett and teachers Brittany Hale and Katie Stephenson on a monthly school enrichment program with all 3rd grade students at Greysbranch Elementary School in the Greenup County School District. While planning the school enrichment programs, the school asked that students participate in the 4-H Speech and Demonstration Contest as part of their month school enrichment program. In December of 2024, we hosted the first demonstration contest at Greysbranch for 3rd grade students. We have been working with individual schools to bring the communications contest back after COVID. All students in both classes were required to participate in the demonstration contest. The 4-H agent worked with the county homemakers group, FBLA advisor and FFA advisor to recruit volunteer judges for each class contest. When planning the school enrichment program, we wanted to encourage students to step outside of their comfort zone and begin to practice and foster growth for their public speaking skills and encourage them to be confident in their abilities to stand in front of their peers to present a topic of their choice. All 44 students presented a topic of their choice to the judges, their classmates and teacher while gaining constructive criticism on how to improve as they move forward.  

Additionally, this project aligned with a program the school is currently participating in to ensure students are more prepared for the next chapter of their education. All students that participated in the contest earned their "Effective Communication" foundational four badge for the school's program. Students must complete a set number of badges by the end of the school year before advancing to the next grade. Students that are eligible will move on to the Area Communications Contest to represent Greenup County.   We appreciate the involvement and participation of Greysbranch Elementary School in this project and we are looking forward to additional partnerships with these students as the school year continues. Below is a picture of the students that participated.