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 a teacher of 3 grades, 6th-8th, at a local school to assist in developing their speeches and demonstrations for 4-H competition in the county communications event. Due to COVID restrictions, this was done virtually. Materials for developing and presenting their speeches and demonstrations were given to the teacher and the students also recorded them to send to the 4-H agent for feedback. Additional materials were developed by the agent that focused on presenting a speech and demonstration through virtual means. 

Fifteen 7th & 8th graders presented speeches and ten 6th graders presented demonstrations. Topics included Social Media, History of the Olympics, Dreams, Origami, Iced Coffee, and Rockets. 8 students were selected to advance to the Multi county competition. From there, 4 will be going on to the State 4-H Communications Event in July.