Harlan County 4-H Public Speaking Contest

2025 Public Speaking Contest
Monday, March 17
Location: AG CENTER, ORLEANS
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Registration is DUE March 10th by 4:30 pm.

PREMIER COMMUNICATION RESOURCES

 

Age Divisions

Four age divisions are used based on the member's 4-H age as of January 1 of the current year. Intermediate and Senior division participants may be selected to represent Harlan County at the Nebraska State Public Speaking Contest. Clover Kids will participate in a non-competitive division. 

  • Clover Kid: 5-7 (as of January 1) 
  • Junior: ages 8-10 as of January 1 of the current year
  • Intermediate: ages 11-13 as of January 1 of the current year
  • Senior: ages 14-18 as of January 1 of the current year

      

GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS

** PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT (PSA)

NO IN-PERSON CONTEST - VIRTUAL SUBMISSION ONLY.   
No team PSAs are allowed. No Clover Kid Division.
Submit to by March 17 at 6:00 pm here: PSC Drop-Box 

Rules
  • Length: 60 seconds
  • Only individuals may compete in this class; no team entries are allowed.
  • Youth will prepare a PSA around the 2025 Theme: "Ready through 4-H...and beyond"
  • 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 4-H 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 use PSA's written and provided by the state or national staff.
  • PSA entries will be submitted electronically in a .wav or .mp3 audio.
Resources
*** PREPARED SPEECH

The Prepared Speech contest provides youth the opportunity to write and prepare a speech on a topic related to their 4-H experience.  The judge will view the speech and evaluate based on the subject, organization, and delivery of the speech.

Rules
  • Length:
    • Clover Kid Division: 30 seconds - 2 minutes
    • Junior Division (ages 8-10): 1-3 minutes
    • Intermediate Division (ages 11-13): 3-5 minutes
    • Senior Division (ages 14-18): 5-8 minutes
      • For Senior Division only, judges will deduct three points from the score for every 30 seconds under or over the time limit.
  • Only individuals may compete in this class; no team entries are 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.   
  • Clover Kids are allowed to give a simple speech that does not have to relate to 4-H. They may also recite a simple poem they have learned, the 4-H Pledge, etc., that is age-appropriate. 
  • 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.
  • Dress appropriately. Do not wear costumes or special effects clothing. 
  • No team speeches are allowed.
Resources
*** ILLUSTRATED PRESENTATION

An Illustrated Presentation 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. The judge views the entire presentation and engages in a question-and-answer session following the presentation. 

Rules
  • Length
    • Clover Kid Division: 1-3 minutes
    • Individual - Junior Division: 3-5 minutes
    • Individual - Intermediate and Senior Divisions: 6-8 minutes
    • Team - Junior Division: 5-7 minutes
    • Team - Intermediate and Senior Divisions: 8-10 minutes

Participants will be penalized if their presentation exceeds the time limit

  • An Illustrated Presentation may be given by one (1) individual or a team of two (2) 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). 
  • The check-in area will contain temporary storage space for presentation supplies. Only presenters and contest officials will be permitted in the designated preparation areas; no relatives or friends, please. Presenters are expected to clean up the areas in which they work. 
  • Equipment provided will be table, easel, PC-compatible computer, and projector. 
  • 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 computers to an HDMI cord. 
  • Live animals may not be used in the presentation. 
*** IMPROMPTU SPEECH

The Impromptu Speech competition gives youth the opportunity to write and present a speech around a 4-H-related topic that they select during the competition, where they are given 15 minutes to develop and prepare for their presentation. Judges evaluate the subject, organization, and delivery of the speech.

Rules
  • Length
    • Junior Division (ages 8-10): 1 - 3 minutes
    • Intermediate Division (ages 11-13): 3 minutes
    • Senior Division (ages 14-18): 5 minutes
    • No Clover Kid Division
  • Only individuals may compete in this class; no team entries are allowed.
  • 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 
Resources
*** VIDEO COMMUNICATION

The video communication contest allows youth to create a multi-media video around a theme related to 4-H. Judges will be evaluating on both the organization of information as well as the audio and video production.

NO IN-PERSON CONTEST - VIRTUAL SUBMISSION ONLY.  
Submit by March 17 at 6:00 pm here: PSC Drop-Box

Rules
  • Length: 60-90 seconds
  • No Clover Kid Division
  • 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 2025 Theme: "Ready through 4-H...and beyond"
  • 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.
Resources

 

PREMIER COMMUNICATION RESOURCES

Nebraska Premier Communication Event: June 19-20, 2025, in Lincoln, NE. Please visit the State Public Speaking Contest webpage above for further details about this contest.