Developing opportunities for youth to work on their soft skills is a constantly expressed need in Woodford County. As community partners around the county strive to find new and exciting ways to engage youth, the Woodford County 4-H Communications Contest provides an opportunity for participants to have fun, compete and work on their public speaking skills in a growth-centered environment. Partnering with the Midway Toastmasters, Versailles Kiwanis and the Woodford County 4-H Council, 49 youth gave approximately 53 speeches, demonstrations and mock job interviews on Saturday, January 25^th. These presentations were delivered to volunteer judges who provided positive and constructive feedback to help these youth continue their development in the public speaking arena. Of these youth, eight went on to give their speech/demonstration at the area contest and five of those have now moved on to the State 4-H Communications Contest, continuing to excel and develop as a speaker and presenter.