Public speaking and communication skills have been proven to be the most needed skills in order for citizens to obtain a job in the workforce. In order to provide this experience for youth at an early age, CES planned and implemented lessons in which over 1426 youth throughout the county were educated on the importance of communicating well, and on how to properly give a speech and demonstration. CES also implemented 4-H Speech and Demonstration contests at all 6 of the county elementary schools, as well as holding a county run-off contests for both speeches and demonstrations. Of the 4^th and 5^th grades in Jessamine County, nearly all classrooms chose to make either the speech or the demonstration contest mandatory in their classrooms.  This year we had a nearly 200 person increase in participation. 17 participants earned their way to the area speech and demonstration contests from the county and of those youth, 7 were selected to compete in the State Communications Day.  Of the participants surveyed at the Area communications contest, 100% said they agree or strongly agree that they improved their public speaking skills. 97% feel they have confidence to speak in front of a group, and 94% say they are a good listener now after competing with their 4-H speech or demonstration.