According to pancommunications.com, communication is the backbone of our society. It allows us to form connections, influence decisions, and motivate change. Public speaking is one of the most important and most dreaded forms of communication. The Fulton County 4-H program works closely with the schools to prepare youth for the 4-H Public Speaking contest and to help them become an effective public speaker.

This year, over 250 youth presented a speech in their classroom. Students in grades 3^rd-8^th grade were able to decide whether they wanted to do a speech or a demonstration. Teachers work with the students over a period of time to help research, organize and write their speech. Students are given the information to take home as well so they can receive additional help and practice at home.

On the day of the classroom event, it requires class time to be interrupted because it is usually an all-day event where students in the same categories present their speech or demonstrations. Teachers and volunteers serve as the judges. When score sheets are tallied and scored, winners are announced and those winners will move on to the county 4-H event. This year, there were forty-one students competing in the County event.

After the county event, there were seventeen winners who moved on to the Area event in McCracken County. Of those competitors at Area, five moved on to the State competition. This is a huge accomplishment for Fulton County. In the beginning, the students do not take it serious and they are nervous but when they realize it is more than a competition, I am really good at this, they want to move up further in the competition.

Parents and principals both speak highly of the 4-H Public Speaking contest. The principals knows the importance of public speaking and the benefits it add to the students. The parents remember when they did it in school and ask lots of questions on how to make their child better. Last year, one little girl had her eye on going to the State level, she put in the work but it didn’t work out for her, she was beat at Area. This year, same little girl again had her eye on going to the State. Again she was beat at Area. However, this same little girl is not discouraged and when contest time comes around again, she will continue to put her best foot forward in hopes of making it to the State level!