"Kentucky 4-H believes that all youth should have opportunities for positive youth development in our four guiding concepts: mastery, belonging, independence, and generosity. This program fosters mastery by teaching youth how to effectively communicate, belonging by giving them the opportunity to work with others, independence by allowing them to present a speech or demonstration in front of their peers and generosity by fostering a love of community."  Several years ago, members of the county communications committee suggested an additional modification to the county program be put in place for those youth who have learning disabilities.  As an agent, not trained in special ed, I sought the assistance of some teachers, former 4-H'ers themselves, who did have this expertise and after discussing this with district director at the time and the other agents from the district with whom the competition would be at district, these modified categories were launched.  This modification did not affect the district event with the exception of having more than one contestant in an age category from this county.  Not all counties compete in the district event and this was not considered a problem by any that do compete.  The county modified category champions were simply registered to compete in their correct age category at the district. As a result, many youth over the years have been recognized at the county contest as having achieved a milestone in their life - in front of their peers - most time a first for them.  Leaders that worked with these youth reported that many times the contestants in the modified categories work much harder on their speech than the others, these were the kids that usually didn't get to go to a competition out of the school building.  We have had champs from the modified categories even score higher than their counterpart at the district event -  they had achieved so much more self-confidence and pride by their inclusion.  This year the district event had 29 youth participants from five counties, two counties had one each.  Fourteen participants were from this county which included the modified category champions. These 14 were the highest scores from 210 county youth, from 16 categories, the competition at the county level is keen and peer supportive.   From these 14, three became district champions, one reserved champion, seven blue and three red.  One district champion from this county has registered to compete at the state level.  The success of the program isn't in the color of the ribbon, it is in the enthusiasm of the participant to do their best, sometimes it is simply their personal best.  The success of the program is hearing the contestants cheer their competitors achievements.  The success of the program is having the youth and the leaders look forward to next year's event so they can do it again - and even better!