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 19 at the Sangamon County Extension Office in Springfield.  

Awards winners included:

• Champion
  • Ellie Wrage and Olivia Wrage, Logan County (Lincoln), Oral Interpretation Team presentation titled “Holy Moses”
• Reserve Champion
  • Charlotte Judd, Logan County (Lincoln), Oral Interpretation Individual presentation titled “The Many Moods of Shakespeare”
• Illinois 4-H Public Speaking Contest Delegates
  • Charlotte Judd, Logan County (Lincoln)
  • Austin Komnick, Sangamon County (Auburn)
  • Nolan Komnick, Sangamon County (Auburn)
  • Noah Marques, Sangamon County (Auburn)
  • Allison O’Neill, Menard County (Athens)
  • Samantha O’Neill, Menard County (Athens)
  • Cooper Ramm, Sangamon County (Auburn)
  • Ellie Wrage, Logan County (Lincoln)
  • Olivia Wrage, Logan County (Lincoln)

The contest was judged by Sherry Fulton and Molly Schempp. Awards were sponsored by Joe Ryan, County Financial.

The State 4-H Public Speaking Contest will be held April 27 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.

ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.