Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communication skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. Using age appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communications & Expressive Arts Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading, and personal communication capacities. This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development. (Jones, K.R. 2006)

The Campbell County 4-H Youth Development program worked with 7 4-H in-school 4-H clubs and 2 School Enrichment groups to develop their public speaking skills. A total of 215 students received instruction in topic selection, content organization, and delivery.  Due to the pandemic and all face to face programs being cancelled, county competition in March went to a virtual format. Seventeen youth submitted their speeches and 1 youth submitted a demonstration for volunteer judges to score. From there seven youth went on to compete at the Multi County event. 3 youth giving speeches and one with a demonstration then went on to the state competition. Results are not yet known from the state competition. Campbell County submitted 4 volunteers to judge virtually for the State 4-H communication competition. Considering the circumstances surrounding the pandemic and the challenging completion of the communications program for the year, the end result of quality and number of youth participating was a positive outcome.