CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – 4-H excels in preparing youth to speak well and confidently, and it is a skill that serves members for a lifetime. Youth from across the state recently came together to put their public speaking skills to the test during the Illinois 4-H State Public Speaking Contest held at Parkland College April 26.
Youth who participate in this yearly exhibit develop skills for communicating real-life issues to live audiences and receive professional and peer feedback. Youth ages 8-18 can participate in the contest and gain skills in learning how to organize and prepare a speech, developing speech delivery skills, and learning how to present themselves in front of an audience.
“I was impressed by the confidence and poise these youth brought to the stage,” says University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist Cindy Ogwal. “Public speaking is one of the most valuable skills we can help youth develop, and it was inspiring to see them rise to the challenge.”
In the Formal Speech Division, youth share their perspective on a topic of their choice with a speech intended to motivate, persuade, or inform an audience.
In the Formal Beginner category, 1st Place Champion went to Disha Rai, McLean County; 2nd Place Reserve Champion went to Kelly Hinderliter, Edwards County; 3rd Place went to Nivi Raj, DuPage County.
In the Formal Advanced category 1st Place Champion went to Eden Henry, Scott County; 2nd Place Reserve Champion went to Ella Douglas, Marion County; 3rd Place went to Myracle Johnson, LaSalle County.
In the Illustrated Division, speeches may inform, persuade, or motivate the audience with the use of a visual aid and may include audience participation.
In the Illustrated Beginner category1st Place Champion went to 1st Place Champion went to Avery Ax, McLean County; 2nd Place Reserve Champion went to Emma Morgason, Bond County; 3rd Place went to Ruth Lewis, Tazewell County.
In the Illustrated Advanced category 1st Place Champion went to Emery Miller, Shelby County; 2nd Place Reserve Champion went to William Ellingson, Boone County; 3rd Place went to Cecilia Ochs, Kane County.
In the Oral Interpretation Division, presentations must be previously published works or manuscripts with youth competing individually and in teams.
In the Oral Interpretation Individual category 1st Place Champion went to Eden Sanborn, Champaign County; 2nd Place Reserve Champion went to Gavin Schnall, Dupage County; 3rd Place went to Margaret Feldman, Grundy County.
In the Oral Interpretation Team category 1st Place Champion went to Ben Kinner & Emily Kinner, Sangamon County; 2nd Place Reserve Champion went to Allison O’Neill & Samantha O’Neill, Menard County; 3rd Place went to Sabryna Borders & Trystan Borders, Union County.
In the Original Works Division, presentations must be published works, and manuscripts or transcripts.
In the Original Works Individual category 1st Place Champion went to Heather Marquis, McLean County; 2nd Place Reserve Champion went to Fiona Holtz, Dekalb County; 3rd Place went to Willard Rozanas, Boone County.
In the Original Works Team category 1st Place Champion went to Gwen Heeley & Josie Heely, Marshall County; 2nd Place Reserve Champion went to Hadley Williams & Holly Hays, White County; 3rd Place went to Asher Herrmann & Shiloh Hermann, Peoria County.
Public speaking is an important part of the overall 4-H experience. Throughout the year, 4-H members give talks and demonstrations at community club meetings and share information about the skills they learned in a project while receiving feedback in a supportive environment. Every 4-H member is also encouraged to give at least one formal presentation during a club meeting each year.
“These young people didn’t just give speeches—they shared messages that mattered to them and connected with their audiences,” says Ogwal. “It’s a powerful reminder of the leadership potential within every 4-H member.”
COMPEER Financial provided financial support for this program.
SOURCE: Cindy Ogwal, 4-H Youth Development Specialist, cowusu@illinois.edu
WRITER: Carissa Nelson, Media Communications Manager, 4-H State Office, carissa7@illinois.edu
About Illinois 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.