Kane County youth demonstrate presentation prowess at 4-H speaking contest

Posted May 27, 2015 11:00 pm

Submitted by University of Illinois

4-H member Emily Smeenge of Rolling Meadows was named a state fair delegate in the Formal Speech category, and is the state fair alternate in Illustrated Speech on Alzheimer's disease. Courtesy of University of Illinois Extension

Three Kane County youth have earned a chance to compete at the Illinois State Fair following the Kane County 4-H Public Speaking Contest this month.

Public speaking is an important skill for school, work and life, but many Americans have anxiety about presenting information to an audience. Through 4-H, youth are encouraged to develop communication and public speaking skills through club presentations.

Those members who want to hone those skills further enter the annual Public Presentation and Demonstration Contest.

On May 9, Kane County 4-H members presented speeches and demonstrations on a wide variety of topics, ranging from the equine digestive system and Alzheimer's disease to Coco Chanel and making salsa.

"The Public Presentation 4-H project helps youth learn how to prepare a speech and how to deliver it comfortably to an audience," said 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator Doris Braddock. "It's about learning clarity of purpose, understanding knowledge of their subject, and how to organize a speech. The experience teaches poise, voice quality, and gives them confidence. All are important skills they can use throughout many facets of life."

At this year's Kane County competition, youth presented in front of fellow 4-H members, an audience and volunteer judges - educators Larry Modaff and Jennifer Schafernak, both of Waubonsee Community College and Fran Stephens of Larkin High School in Elgin.

Speeches could be given in any one of the following formats: formal, illustrated, demonstration, oral interpretation or original works.

4-H youth earning the honor to present at the State Fair in August included: Emily Smeenge of Rolling Meadows for Formal Speech; Madde Klinkey of St. Charles for Illustrated Speech and Oral Interpretation; and Gwen Klinkey of St. Charles for Original Works.

State Fair alternates are Jack Mueller of Batavia for Formal Speech and Smeenge for Illustrated Speech.

Grand Champion Public Presentation honors went to Willem Vandermeij for the 8-12 age group and to Madde Klinkey in the 13-18 age group. Reserve Grand Champions were Kyle DeSmet of Gilberts and Smeenge.

DeSmet also took home Grand Champion Demonstration honors.

Public Presentation is just one of the many 4-H projects youth may enroll in, Braddock said.

There are hundreds of 4-H project areas, ranging from science and robotics to animals and livestock to arts and humanities, to name just a few.

For more information on the 4-H program in Kane County, contact program coordinator Doris Braddock at dbraddoc@illinois.edu or visit web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/.

4-H Youth Development programs include 4-H Clubs, Learning Enrichment, and other Youth Outreach activities. These positive youth development programs provide opportunities for youth to feel a sense of belonging, develop independence, practice generosity, and experience mastery.

Sisters Madde and Gwen Klinkey of St. Charles earned spots at the Illinois State Fair to compete in Illustrated Speech and Oral Interpretation and in Original Works, respectively. Madde also won Kane County 4-H Grand Champion Public Presentation honors in the 13-18 age group. She performed in multiple categories, including Illustrated Speech with a presentation on the equine digestive process. Courtesy of University of Illinois Extension

Kane County 4-H member Kyle DeSmet of Gilberts took home Reserve Grand Champion honors for Public Presentations, as well as the Grand Champion ribbon for the Demonstration Category. He spoke about caring for his salamander. Courtesy of University of Illinois Extension

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