SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Local 4-H members presented speeches and earned awards at this year’s Logan/Menard/Sangamon 4-H Public Speaking Contest, which was held March 30 at the Sangamon County Extension Office in Springfield.  

Awards winners included:

• Champion
  • Ellie Wrage, Logan County (Lincoln), Oral Interpretation Individual presentation titled “Excerpts from ‘Citizenship in a Republic’”
• Reserve Champion
  • Charlotte Judd and Cameron Wilmert, Logan County (Lincoln), Oral Interpretation Team presentation titled “Assault Toast”
• State Contest Delegates
  • Lauren Beck, Sangamon County (Rochester), Illustrated Speech titled “The 3-Rs in 4-H”
  • Rosetta Catterson and Mason Newton, Logan County (Atlanta), Oral Interpretation Team presentation titled “Sorry, I Just Got Here Myself”
  • Charlotte Judd and Cameron Wilmert, Logan County (Lincoln), Oral Interpretation Team presentation titled “Assault Toast”
  • Austin Komnick, Sangamon County (Auburn), Oral Interpretation Individual presentation titled “Lights Out”
  • Allison O’Neill and Samantha O’Neill, Menard County (Athens), Oral Interpretation Team presentation titled “Mom’s List of Things to Do”
  • Ellie Wrage, Logan County (Lincoln), Oral Interpretation Individual presentation titled “Excerpts from ‘Citizenship in a Republic’”

Guests in attendance included members of the McBrian Lincoln-Douglas Toastmasters Club of Springfield (mcbrianlincoln.toastmastersclubs.org), who provided a supportive audience and offered some helpful feedback to presenters. The contest was judged by Jennifer Keith and Emily Zelhart. Awards were sponsored by Joe Ryan, County Financial.

The State 4-H Public Speaking Contest will be held April 29 at Parkland Community College in Champaign.

Public speaking is one of many life skills taught and practiced in 4-H. To find out more about local 4-H activities visit extension.illinois.edu/LMS/4-H-youth-development.