PUBLIC SPEAKING
4-H members may participate in all eligible classes.
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. The handout, A Guide To Making Great 4-H Speeches, is available on how to develop speeches at https://go.unl.edu/knoxcountyprefaircontests.
TROPHIES: Refer to the Knox County Trophy and Award List
Awards: The first-place winner in each division is eligible for a $50.00 scholarship for a 4-H Camp of their choice, sponsored by the Knox County 4-H Council.
- A speech is an individual event only.
- Junior, Intermediate and Senior presenters must have an original speech and include 4-H as the major component of the speech.
- 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.
- Note cards are acceptable if used properly at the county level - speeches should not be read.
- Use of visual aids and props are not allowed.
- Dress appropriately. Do not wear costumes or special effect clothing.
- 4-H public speakers may not use an old speech written by a sibling, another 4-H member, or anyone else.
CLASSES - Ages are as of December 31 of the previous year.
PREMIUMS: Purple, $5.00; Blue, $4.00; Red, $3.00; and White, $2.00
B100901 Junior Division: Age 8-10; Length of Speech: 2-3 minutes; Original speech with 4-H as the major component.
B100902 Intermediate Division: Age 11-13; Length of Speech: 3-5 minutes; Original speech with 4-H as the major component.
B100903 Senior Division: Age 14-18; Length of Speech: 5-8 minutes; Original speech with 4-H as the major component.
4-H 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 their presentation. The Judge will evaluate the subject, organization, and delivery of the speech.
- 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 the judge and audience members.
- Example topic: My Day in 4-H
CLASSES - Ages are as of December 31 of the previous year.
PREMIUMS: Purple, $5.00; Blue, $4.00; Red, $3.00; and White, $2.00
B100904 Junior Division: Ages 8-10; Length 1 ½ minutes
B100905 Intermediate Division: Ages 11-13; Length 3 minutes
B100906 Senior Division: Ages 14 & Over: Length 5 minutes
VIDEO COMMUNICATION:
A video communication contest which allows youth to create a multi-media video around the theme related to 4-H. The judge will be evaluating both the organization of information as well as the audio and video production.
- 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 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.
CLASSES - Ages are as of December 31 of the previous year.
PREMIUMS: Purple, $5.00; Blue, $4.00; Red, $3.00; and White, $2.00
B100907 Junior Division: Ages 8-10; Length 60-90 seconds
B100908 Intermediate Division: Ages 11-13; Length 60-90 seconds
B100909 Senior Division: Ages 14 & Over: Length 60-90 seconds
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Radio Public Service Announce (PSA) contest challenges youth to write and record a 60-second promotional audio recording focused on a yearly theme that could be played on the radio to promote the work of Nebraska 4-H. A Public Service Announcement is an individual event only. Youth are judged on their overall organization and delivery of the PSA. The handout, How to Prepare a 4-H Radio Public Service Announcement, and other resources are available at https://go.unl.edu/knoxcountyprefaircontests.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT (PSA) CRITERIA:
- 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 will use the state theme as the basis for their PSA. The 2025 PSA theme is “Ready through 4-H…and beyond”.
- Sound effects and public domain music may be used. Copyrighted material may not be used.
- 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.
- PSA entries will be submitted electronically prior to the contest or at the contest in a .wav or .mp3 audio format.
- Length – 60 seconds
- 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.
- 4-H members may participate in both Public Speaking and PSA Divisions in the contest.
- TROPHIES will be awarded to the winner in each division.
- No team PSA’s are allowed.
CLASSES - Ages are as of December 31 of the previous year
PREMIUMS: Purple, $5.00; Blue, $4.00; Red, $3.00; and White, $2.00
B110901 Junior Division: Age 8-10; 60 seconds
B110902 Intermediate Division: Age 11-13; 60 seconds
B110903 Senior Division: Age 14-18; 60 seconds
ILLUSTRATED PRESENTATION CONTEST
An Illustrated 4-H 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.
PREMIUMS (INDIVIDUAL): Purple, $5.00; Blue, $4.00; Red, $3.00; White, $2.00
PREMIUMS (TEAM): Purple, $10.00; Blue, $8.00; Red, $6.00; White, $4.00
TROPHIES will be awarded to the top purple in each division.
Participant Requirements:
- An illustrated Presentation may be given by one individual or a team of two individuals. If team members are not the same age division, they must compete in the age division of the oldest team member.
- All classes require the presence of the contestant(s).
- Participants may be penalized if their presentation exceeds the time limits.
- Dress: If possible, participant’s attire should correspond with their presentation (be creative). Otherwise, 4-H attire is encouraged.
- The educational resource, Communication Modules, for youth participating in the Presentations Contest is available from the Extension Office or at https://go.unl.edu/knoxcountyprefaircontests.
- 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 cord.
- Live Animals are not allowed.
- All 4-H 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).
Awards: The first-place winner in each division is eligible for a $50.00 scholarship for a 4-H Camp of their choice, sponsored by the Knox County 4-H Council.
County Fair Scoresheets and Materials can be found at https://go.unl.edu/knoxcountyprefaircontests.
State Fair Scoresheets, Contest Study Materials and Fair Forms can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/statewide-events-opportunities/communication/pce/contests/.
CLASSES:
Presentations will be divided into 3 classes (ages are as of January 1 of the current year):
B151901 Junior Division (8-10) – Length: Individual 3-5 minutes; Team 5-7 minutes
B151902 Intermediate Division (11-12-13) – Length: Individual 6-8 minutes; Team 8-10 minutes
B151903 Senior Division (14 & over) – Length: Individual 6-8 minutes; Team 8-10 minutes