DIVISION 151 - 4-H PRESENTATION CONTEST
PREMIUMS: Purple-$5.00; Blue-$3.00; Red-$2.00; White-$1.00
An Illustrated 4-H Presentation, given by one (1) individual or a team of two (2) individuals, is a live presentation with a formal talk where youth will use visual aids (such as props, posters, computer-based visuals, handouts, video, etc.), to show and tell others how to do something. Presentations are given on a stage or platform. Judge views the entire presentation and engages in a question and answer session following the presentation.
Illustrated 4-H Presentation Rules
Participant Requirements:
- All classes require the presence of the contestant(s).
- A team presentation, consisting of two (2) individuals, may be given for any class; there is no separate class for team presentations.
- Participants may be penalized if their presentation exceeds the time limits (see below for time limits). Each participant is required to wear the 4-H chevron, the 4-H emblem, or official 4-H shirt during their presentation.
Presentation Topic:
- All 4-H Presentation topics should be related to what the 4-H youth is learning through 4-H educational experiences focused on the priorities of career and college readiness, community development, entrepreneurship, food supply confidence, healthy living, leadership development, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
- Enrollment in the project area in which the participant is making a presentation is not required.
4-H Presentations should include an introduction (the “why” portion of the topic), a body (the “show and tell” portion of the topic), and a conclusion/summary (the “what” portion of the topic).
The same presentation cannot be given in more than one Illustrated Presentations class.
Contest Information:
- Presenters are expected to clean-up the areas in which they work.
Equipment provided includes two (2) tables, one (1) easel, PC Compatible Computer (including Microsoft PowerPoint) with a Wi-Fi internet connection, projector or television screen, and hands-free microphone.
- Presenters using computer-based visuals may bring files on a USB drive that is PC formatted. Participants may also provide their own computer or other equipment as needed; however, participants must be able to connect
their computer to a HDMI plug on the television. Live animals may be used in the presentation. All State Fair Livestock Health Requirements must be followed.
- Presenters are responsible for all stallingarrangements, care and handling of animals. Animals can only remain in presentation area while the owner is present.
B151111* ILLUSTRATED PRESENTATION (8-10 years of age) Individual (3-5 minutes) or Team (5-7 minutes)
B151112* ILLUSTRATED PRESENTATION (11-13years of age) Individual (6-8 minutes) or Team (8-10 minutes)
B151113* ILLUSTRATED PRESENTATION (14-18 years of age) Individual (6-8 minutes) or Team (8-10 minutes)
DIVISION 398 - SPEECH CONTEST
PREMIUMS: Purple-$5.00; Blue-$3.00; Red-$2.00; White-$1.00
Through the 4-H Public Speaking Contest, youth have an opportunity to write a speech or public service announcement (PSA) that incorporates the topic of 4-H and deliver it to an audience. The 4-H Public Speaking Contest helps youth develop skills for communicating about current issues to real audiences, learn how to organize and prepare a speech, develop speech delivery skills, learn how to present themselves to others, and develop self-confidence.
- Contestants may participate at the county contest in both the speech and public service announcement (PSA) areas. The PSAs are commonly used for radio broadcasts. PSAs can be read out loud or on tape and time is extremely important. Juniors, Intermediate, and Seniors must incorporate 4-H into their speech topics.
- For Communication resources, see https://4h.unl.edu/nebraska-4-h-communications-resources/
Prepared Speech Rules
- Youth must be currently enrolled in 4-H to participate in the Public Speaking Contest.
- Youth may participate in both the speech and PSA categories.
- Only individuals may compete in the speech or radio PSA competition. No speech teams allowed.
- Length of Speeches:
- Junior Division(4-H age 8-10): 2-3 minutes
- Intermediate Division(4-H age 11-13):3-5 minutes
- Senior Division(4-H age 14-18):5-8 minutes
- All speeches must be original and include 4-H as the major component of the speech.
- Many speakers in the Public Speaking Contest have given speeches in other contests. This is fine; however, previous speeches may not be used verbatim for the 4-H contest. It is okay to use the same ideas from a speech previously delivered in competition, but it must be 4-H related. Enough changes should be made to make that speech new to the speaker and the audience. 4-H public speakers may not use the old speech written by a sibling, other 4-H member, or anyone else.
- Acknowledge the source of information used in the speech. For example, an article from a magazine may be used for reference but should not be quoted directly unless you tell the audience your source.
- Use of visual aids and props are not allowed.
- Dress appropriately. Do not wear costumes or special effects clothing.
- Communication Resources: https://4h.unl.edu/nebraska-4-h-communications-resources/
- Judging criteria: Subject- 20%; Organization - 20%; Delivery - 40%; General- 20%
- Judges will deduct three points from the contestant’s speech score for each 30 seconds under or over the time limit (Senior Division only).
Public Service Announcement (PSA) Rules
- Length: 60 seconds
- Youth will prepare a PSA around the theme: READY THROUGH 4-H ... AND BEYOND
- All radio PSAs must promote4-H and be general enough to be used anywhere in Nebraska at any time of the year.
- All 4-H PSAs must include the following tagline within the last 10 seconds of the PSA: “Learn more about the Nebraska Extension4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu. The tagline is included in the 60-secondtime limit.
- Sound effects and public domain music may be used. Copyrighted material may not be used.
- All PSAs must be the original work of the presenter. Contestants may not use PSAs written and provided by the state or national staff.
- PSA entries will be submitted electronically in a .wav or. mp3 audio format along with the registration form.
- For County Contest, PSAs may be read out loud, saved to media or submitted electronically. For District Contest, Radio PSAs will be submitted electronically as a .wav or .mp3 format along with 1 copy of the PSA text. No CDs accepted.
- Judging criteria: Introduction - 20%; Body - 20%; Closing - 20%; General delivery - 40%
B398001 CLOVER KIDS SPEECH - 5-7 years old (before January 1 of the current year); 1/2 to 2 minutes B398002 CLOVER KIDS PSA - 5-7 years old (before January 1 of the current year); 30 seconds, live or taped
B398005* JUNIOR SPEECH - 8-10 years old (before January 1 of the current year); 2 to 3 minutes
B398006* JUNIOR PSA - 8-10 years old (before January 1 of the current year); 60 seconds, live or taped B398007* INTERMEDIATE SPEECH - 11-13 years old (before January 1 of the current year); 3 to 5 minutes B398008* INTERMEDIATE PSA - 11-13 years old (before January1 of the current year);60 seconds, live or taped
B398009* SENIOR SPEECH - 14-18 years old (before January 1 of the current year); 5 to 8 minutes
B398010* SENIOR PSA -14-18 years old (before January1 of the current year);60 seconds, live or taped.
Impromptu Speech Rules
- On the day of the contest, participants will have a topic randomly selected for them. Youth will have no more than 15 minutes to develop a speech on the selected topic. Participants will then deliver the speech to judges and audience members.
- Example topic: My Day in 4-H
- Judging criteria: Subject- 20%; Organization - 20%; Delivery - 40 %; General - 20%.
Video Communication Rules
- Length: 60-90 seconds
- Youth may use a phone, laptop, or tablet to create a multi-media piece around the theme: 4-H Is a Feeling
- Sound effects, public domain music, and graphics can be used. Copyrighted materials may not be used.
- Videos will be submitted electronically as MP4 files along with the registration form.
- Judging criteria: Introduction - 20%; Organization - 20%; Production - Video - 30%; Production - Audio - 30%
B398011* JUNIOR IMPROMPTU SPEECH - 8-10 years old (before January 1 of the current year) 1 1/2 minutes
B398012* JUNIOR VIDEO COMMUNICATION - 8-10 years old (before January 1 of the current year) 60-90 sec. B398013* INTERMEDIATE IMPROMPTUSPEECH - 11-13 years old (before January 1 of the current year) 3min.
B398014* INTERMEDIATE VIDEO COMMUNICATION - 11-13 years old (before January 1 of the current year) 60-90 sec.
B398015* SENIOR IMPROMPTU SPEECH - 14-18 years old (before January 1 of the current year) 5 minutes
B398016* SENIOR VIDEO COMMUNICATION - 14-18 years old (before January 1 of the current year) 60-90 sec.
B398017 OPEN MIC
PREMIER COMMUNICATION EVENT
The Premier Communication Event will be held on the University of Nebraska - Lincoln East Campus on Thursday & Friday, June 19-20, 2025. The event will include contest classes including the areas of Prepared Speech, Radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs), Illustrated Presentations, Impromptu Speech, and Video Communications.
Eligibility for Premier Communication Event:
- Youth must be currently enrolled in 4-H to participate in the Premier Communication Event
Eligibility requirements for the following contest classes include:
- Prepared Speech, Radio Public Serviced Announcement (PSA), and Illustrated Presentation:
- Youth must receive a purple ribbon at their County Contest and be selected to participate in the Premier Communication Event in these classes.
- Counties may select up to five (5) contestants in each age division.
- Impromptu Speech and Video Communication
- Open to all youth enrolled in 4-H
- If eligible, youth may participate in all contest classes.
Pre-registration is required for all participants and is completed by County Extension Offices. There is a $10 fee per entry for Prepared Speech, Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA), Illustrated Presentation, and Impromptu Speech participants; no entry fee is required for Video Communication for 2025.
Age Divisions:
Junior: ages 8-10 before January 1 of the current year Intermediate: ages 11-13 before January 1 of the current year Senior: ages 14-18 before January 1 of the current year
Team Entries:
Team entries are allowed in the Illustrated Presentation contest class. If team members are not in the same age division, they must compete in the age division of the oldest team member.