The 4-H Speech Event in Marion County continues to be the most popular 4-H event throughout the entire year. This year's event was as strong as ever with every school participating. Everybody in the county knows about this event - whether they serve as a volunteer judge, or they hear their children or grandchildren practicing their speeches, everybody knows somebody giving a speech.
This year we had over 900 speeches presented, and 90 volunteer judges assisting.
The speech program is a long-standing tradition in this community, as is evident by the volunteer judges. Many teachers include it as a part of their curriculum, as practically all 4th - 8th grade students in Marion County participate. There is nothing else 4-H does in the county that reaches so many in such a short amount of time.
Teachers and parents return comments that the public speaking skills are just a bonus to the positive self-esteem, the satisfaction of completing a job, and the sense of accomplishment their students and children have when particpating in the 4-H Talk Meet.This event also serves as a great stepping stone towards Senior Projects. All young people gain much confidence from the 4-H Public Speaking experience.
Without the support and cooperation of the teachers and the business and community leaders who serve as judges, this program would not soar!