4-H’ers Successful in Region Public Speaking Event

4-H’ers Successful in Region Public Speaking Event

By: Melissa Henry, 4-H Agent

After a highly competitive county contest, Putnam County 4-H members recently earned a chance to participate in the sub-region public speaking contest. This contest brings together the top 2 speakers from the 11 counties in the upper Cumberland area. The contest was held at the Hyder-Burks Agriculture Pavilion.

Participants are judged on presenting a speech using good grammar, pleasing volume and pace, eye contact and subject matter. Representing Putnam County were 4^th grade – Lyssabeth Tatum, Prescott South Elementary and Ella Choate, Capshaw Elementary; 5^th grade – Pranith Reddy, Avery Trace and Sarah Pelren, Prescott South Middle; 6^th grade – Britta Gaetjens, home school and Sarah Key, Prescott South Middle School; 7^th grade – Bailey Steger, home school and Kayla Mick, Algood Middle School.  Placing results were in 4^th grade Choate was 4^th place; in 6^th grade Gaetjens was 4^th place; and in 7^th grade Steger was 1^st place. All other participants received participation awards.

Senior high 4-H members also recently competed in the region public speaking contest. This event is for the top speakers from the 31 counties in the central region. The youth present a prepared speech and then complete an extemporaneous speech. Putnam County’s participants were Hannah Bernhardt – 10^th grade; Hannah Steger – 11^th grade; and Austin Lane – 12^th grade. All three won 1^st place and will compete in the State Public Speaking contest in March.

We are very proud of all the 4-H’ers in the county who gave an effort to participate in the public speaking contest this year. A special thanks to the parents, teachers and volunteers who helped these 4-H members prepare for the contest. Public speaking is one of the most important skills our 4-H members can develop and something they will use all of their lives. Congratulations to everyone who participated this year. The Putnam County U.T. Extension Office offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability. For more information on this and other youth development programs, persons are encouraged to call the Extension office at 526-4561.

Photo Captions

4^th grade:      (L to R) 4^th grade participants in the sub region contest were Lyssabeth Tatum and Ella Choate

Subregion:  (front L to R) Putnam County’s participants in the sub-region public speaking contest. 5^th grade Pranith Reddy, Sarah Pelren, 6^th grade Britta Gaetjens, Sarah Key, 7^th grade Kayla Mick, and Bailey Steger

Region: (L to R) Hannah Steger, Austin Lane, and Hannah Bernhardt all placed 1^st in the region public speaking contest. All will compete at the state contest in March.