Gage County 4-H Premier Communication Contest

• Champion & Reserve Champion Medals awarded to top exhibitors in Junior, Intermediate & Senior Divisions.
• Only individuals may compete in this class; no team entries allowed.
• All speeches must be original and include 4-H as the major component of the speech.
• 4-H public speakers may not use the old speech written by a sibling, another 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.
• The use of visual aids and props is not allowed. Note cards are acceptable.
• Visual aids and props not allowed.  Note cards are acceptable.
• Clover Kids: If you are reading or reciting a poem or story, credit the author in a beginning statement.  For example: “I am presenting a piece from Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White”.
• Resources:
  • Prepared Speech Judging Criteria: 
    • Junior:  https://go.unl.edu/ta8k 
    • Intermediate & Senior: https://go.unl.edu/xb7r 

Guide to Making Great Speeches: https://go.unl.edu/9x6w

Yearly Theme: Ready Today, Leading Tomorrow

• Champion & Reserve Champion Medals awarded to top exhibitors in Junior, Intermediate & Senior Divisions.
• PSA is 60 seconds in length
• Only individuals may compete in this class; no team entries allowed.
• Youth will prepare a PSA around the theme (above).
• All radio PSA’s must promote 4-H and be general enough to be used anywhere in Nebraska at any time of the year.
• All PSA’s must include the following tagline within the last 10 seconds of the PSA: “Learn more about the Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu.” The tagline 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 used PSA;s written and provided by the state or national staff.
• PSA division contestants need not attend the contest in-person.
  • PSA entries will be submitted electronically to the gage-county@unl.edu email 24 hours before the contest and must include:
    • Recording of the PSA in a .wav or .mp3 audio formatted file
    • Copy of the PSA script for the judge in a word file, .pdf, or Google Doc link
  • If your entry is not received by the deadline, your entry will be disqualified.
  • Audio recordings will be played during the Premier Communication Contest – youth will not perform their PSA live at the contest.
• Resources:
  • PSA Judging Criteria: https://go.unl.edu/ukxe 

How to Prepare a 4-H Radio PSA: https://go.unl.edu/68i7

Yearly Theme: Ready Today, Leading Tomorrow

• Champion & Reserve Champion Rosettes awarded to top exhibitors in Junior, Intermediate & Senior Divisions.
• Length: 60-90 seconds
• Only individuals may compete in this class; no team entries are allowed.
• Youth may use a phone, laptop, or tablet to create a multi-media piece around the yearly theme.
• Sound effects, public-domain music, and graphics can be used. Copyrighted materials may not be used.
• Video Communication division contestants need not attend the contest in-person.
  • Video entries will be submitted electronically to the gage-county@unl.edu email 24 hours before the contest and must include:
    • Video recording will be submitted as MP4 files.
  • If your entry is not received by the deadline, your entry will be disqualified.

Video recordings will be played during the Premier Communication Contest – youth will not perform their Video live at the contest.

• Champion & Reserve Champion Medals awarded to top exhibitors in Junior, Intermediate & Senior Divisions.
• Intergenerational Presentation – Junior Division Only: 4-H member and adult will take an active part in the presentation. Not eligible for awards. Maximum 10 minutes, no minimum.
• Illustrated Presentation – Junior, Intermediate & Senior Divisions
  • An Illustrated Presentation may be given by one individual or a team of two individuals. If team members are not in the same age division, they must compete in the age division of the oldest team member.
  • All presentation topics should be related to what the 4-H youth is learning through 4-H educational experiences.
  • 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).
  • An area will be provided for each contestant to store and prepare presentation supplies. Parents/helpers can assist in this area, but are not permitted to help with set-up on the stage, before the contestant presents. Presenters are expected to clean up the areas in which they work.
  • Equipment provided includes two tables, one easel, PC compatible computer (including Microsoft PowerPoint) with a WiFi internet connection, and a projector.
  • Presenters using computer-based visuals may bring files on a USB drive that is PC formatted, or log-on to a cloud-based site to access their files. Participants may also provide their own computer or other equipment as needed; however, participants must be able to connect their computers to an HDMI cord.
  • Live animals may be used in the presentation. Presenters are responsible for all stalling arrangements, care, and handling of animals. Animals can only remain in the presentation area while the owner is present. Note: At the state level, live animals are not able to be used in the presentation. Alternate ways of showing information about live animals (models, videos, photos, etc.) are encouraged.
• Resources:
  • Illustrated Presentation Judging Criteria: https://go.unl.edu/rtyu 

Communications Curriculum: Available at the Extension Office, https://go.unl.edu/ro3h 

June 16-17, 2026– Lincoln 

• Five (5) contestants in each age division (Junior, Intermediate, and Senior) in speech, PSA, and Illustrated Presentation categories will be selected to advance to the State Public Speaking Contest. PSA entries submitted electronically (.wav or .mp3 format). 
• PSA contestants may connect with KWBE to record PSA for state contest submission (contact information will be provided by the Extension Office). You will not attend the state competition in person for the PSA division. 
• For more information, visit https://go.unl.edu/premier-communication-event