As youth become more engaged in the world of cell phones, social media, and video games, the need to nurture soft skills in our youth continues to grow.  The 4-H communications curriculum has been developing young leaders in Daviess County for a number of years by furthering their soft skills in public speaking. The County speech contest has proved to bring positive results for youth involved as several have moved on to the district and state contests, even producing blue ribbon quality state speech winners in their division.  Youth are encouraged to compete within their classrooms to go on to the county contest in November of each year.  This year, approximately 270 students chose to participate within their classroom.  About 50 of these youth went on to participate in the county contest and 8 will go on to the district contest in April 2019.

As youth become more engaged in the world of cell phones, social media, and video games, the need to nurture soft skills in our youth continues to grow.  In the completion of the community needs assessment in the Fall of 2018, Daviess County focus group members stated the need to improve soft skills in youth is a significant issue.  Soft skills, including public speaking, must be cultivated for developing these individuals to join and be an effective part of the work force in the future.

In 2016, Daviess County 4-H Agent opened up another communications opportunity to allow youth to participate in the demonstrations categories at the county, district, and state communications contest.  Since 2016, Daviess County has been represented at the state level communications contest by six county 4-H’ers.  In 2018, youth brought back to Daviess County two blue ribbon quality demonstrations and one of those won in the Senior Health demonstration division.  Providing the opportunity for youth to complete a demonstration in the communications contest has allowed 4-H’ers to display their talents and interests through a 5-15 minute demonstration.  The difference in the structure of a demonstration and speech is that demonstrations give youth a comfort in not only speaking to the group about a topic they enjoy and are familiar with but also using props and displays to relay their message.