McCracken County 4-H prides itself on the 4-H public speaking program.  Youth create a speech or demonstration which contain 3 key components: the introduction, body and conclusion.  Approximately, 750 youth in 4th through 12th grades annually will write and deliver their personal narrative speeches for their peers and adult judges.  Some flourish and continue going on from school to county, area and finally state competition.  We never truly know what type of impact this can make on a young persons life until they speak up and credit 4-H for their accomplishments down the road.  Recently, a teacher in McCracken County spoke to the student body about "why we make them do 4-H speeches".  Her son, who has autism once attended school where this question was asked.  She said that he had a very difficult time making friends, especially in such a small school because  he was different from everyone else and no one could relate to his autism.  

When it came time for the 4-H speech contest he decided to give it his best.  His speech, entitled "Pirates", was supposed to be about what he liked about pirates,  but when it came time for the delivery he became someone else entirely.  His school speech won and he propelled himself not only through the county competition, but to area and eventually state. His classmates were astonished at how well he did. Winning at the 4-H state level is something that many youth have never done and for a young man who had been looked at as "different" it  completely changed his life.  He gained confidence at school and the other kids treated him much differently and welcomed him. He wasn't treated as "the autistic kid", he was finally recognized as Aaron who won the 4-H speech contest.  Aaron went on to college and got a degree in theater. He is 29 now and has been in commercials and movies and works at the Easter Seals center in McCracken County.  He is an inspiration to his classmates and his family. You never know what can bring a child out of their shell or what gift they may have deep down inside until you find out what makes them tick. For Aaron it was the 4-H speech contest. Aaron is just one example of making the best better. Thanks to his mom for telling his story.