January 15, 2024
The Dawson County 4-H Public Speaking Contest will be held at the Dawson County Extension Office Meeting Room MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2024 starting at 5:30 p.m. 4-H’ers can compete in the Speech Division and also in the PSA Division. An entry card must be returned to the Extension Office by February 9, 2024, so that we can get 4-H'ers' names on the official program and mailed to contestants before the contest. It is a state requirement that youth must be currently enrolled in 4-H prior to the Speech Contest or any 4-H Activity.
The Prepared Speech Contest provides youth the opportunity to write and prepare a speech on a topic related to their 4-H experience. The judges will review the speech and evaluate based on the subject, organization and delivery of the speech.
The Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest challenges youth to write and record a 60-second promotional audio recording focused on a theme that could be played on the radio to promote the work of Nebraska 4-H. Youth are judged on their overall organization and delivery of the PSA.
Dawson County Divisions and Guidelines for the contest are as follows:
Junior Division
- 8 to 10 years old (Jan. 1, 2024)
- Starting time: 5:30 p.m.
- Topic relating to some aspect of 4-H
- Speech length: 2 to 3 minutes
Intermediate Division
- 11 to 13 years old (Jan. 1, 2024)
- Starting time: 5:30 p.m.
- Topic relating to some aspect of 4-H
- Speech length: 3 to 5 minutes
Senior Division
- 14 to 18 years old (Jan. 1, 2024)
- Starting time: 5:30 p.m.
- Subject: Use of 4-H as a solution to a specific issue,
explanation of 4-H, or identification and solution of a
problem within 4-H.
- Speech length: 5 to 8 minutes
Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA)
- Can also compete in a speech division
- 8 to 18 years of age (Jan. 1, 2024)
- Radio PSA’s must be submitted electronically to anisley1@unl.edu by 5:00 p.m. on February 23rd. Please use .wav or .mp3
audio formats when recording PSA. (The individual does not need to be at the contest to give the PSA, but results will be
announced in Extension Meeting Room on March 4th.)
- PSA must promote 4-H and be general enough so the PSA could be used anywhere in Nebraska at any time of the year.
- All PSA’s will use the state theme “4-H is a Feeling” as the basis for their PSA.
- All 4-H PSA’s must include the following tag line within the last ten seconds of the PSA: “Learn more about the Nebraska
Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu”. The tag line is included in the 60 second time limit.
- Sound effects and public domain music may be used. Copyrighted material may not be used.
- All PSA’s must be the original work of the presenter. Contestants may not use PSA’s written and provided by the State or National staff.
- All PSAs are 60 seconds in length.
An MP3/FM radio, courtesy of county sponsor KRVN will be presented to the high individual in each of the three speech divisions. An individual may receive the MP3/FM radio only once in the Junior & Intermediate Division and once in the Senior Division. The two high individuals in the PSA category will each be presented a $10.00 bill courtesy of the 4-H Foundation. An individual may only receive the cash twice. All 4-H'ers receive $10.00 for participating in the Speech Contest, courtesy of Dawson County Bankers. State Sponsor Radio Station KRVN provides county ribbons for all contestants.
Dawson County can send five individuals per Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Speech Division and PSA category to the State Premier Communication Event (PCE) Contest, June 17-18, 2024. A 4-H member can be a repeat county winner in the State Contest.
All results will be announced in Extension Meeting Room at the conclusion of all the speeches.
A copy of the publication "Guide to Making Great Speeches" and “How To Prepare A 4-H Radio Public Service Announcement” is available on the web at https://4h.unl.edu/premier-communication-event-contests
This letter is being sent to all 4-H leaders and 4-H’ers about the contest. Leaders should tell and encourage all 4-H'ers to enter the 4-H Public Speaking Contest. Also, past public speakers should enter the contest again and encourage others. Leaders ... if you know of an individual who would be beginning 4-H in 2024, they are certainly welcome to give a speech.
The 4-H'ers may use note cards in speech divisions but cannot read them. Use of visual aids and props is not allowed...no attention getters...save these for the Presentation contest. Dress appropriately. Do not wear costumes or special effect clothing. The 4-H'er SHOULD NOT introduce themselves in the introduction part of their speech. Each division will have an emcee.
ALL SPEECH DIVISIONS MUST BE ORIGINAL AND INCLUDE 4-H AS THE MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE SPEECH. Why 4-H Related? This is a 4-H Public Speaking Contest. There are more than 118,000 4-H members in Nebraska. What better way to help improve our communities, our state, and nation than having 4-H members tell how 4-H members and clubs can tackle a current problem and do something about it? 4-H Public Speakers may not use the old speech written by a sibling, another 4-H member, or anyone else.
In the Senior Division, contestants sometimes use this phrase: We can all do something about the problem. Let’s all get behind the solution; 4-H, FFA, FCCLA, Boy Scouts, etc. This type of statement should not qualify for any scoring points. The contestants must specifically tell how 4-H members can help. Work 4-H into your speech as much as possible. Can 4-H’ers provide a solution for a timely problem? How will it affect 4-H’ers? You don’t have a 4-H speech until your audience connects you with 4-H.
Acknowledge your 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.
Video Tape Speech - If a 4-H’er will not be in the county on the date set for the contest, videotaping is an option. The guidelines for videotaping are: must be done prior to contest, must furnish video camera and camera person, needs to be downloaded to Andrea’s PC computer, only one taping allowed, and must have extension staff present.
Entry cards are available for the contest at the Dawson County Extension Office. Speech and PSA's need separate entry cards with titles. Please let Andrea Nisley know by February 9th, so you will be entered in the contest. The program and schedule will be prepared and printed after the entry deadline and mailed to participating 4-H members.
Sincerely,
Andrea Nisley
UNL Extension Educator