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Kane County youth demonstrate presentation prowess

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, all youth are encouraged to develop communication and public speaking skills," said 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator Doris Braddock. "In a 2015 survey, 85 percent of local 4-H members reported being comfortable speaking in front of others."

Those 4-H members who want to hone those skills further can enter the annual Public Presentations Contest in their county.

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

In May, three Kane County youth earned a chance to compete at the Illinois State Fair following the Kane County 4-H Public Presentation Contest. Youth presented speeches and demonstrations on a wide variety of topics, ranging from horse care to Legos to the "Adventures of Peter Pan."

Speeches could be given in any one of the following formats: formal, illustrated, demonstration, oral interpretation or original works. At this year's county competition, youth presented in front of fellow 4-H members, an audience and volunteer judges-educators Brock and Ruth Ann Seney, Harry Patterson and Melissa and Fran Stephens.

4-H youth earning the honor to present at the State Fair in August included: Gwen Klinkey, 15, of St. Charles for prepared speech, Willem Vandermeij, 14, of Geneva for illustrated speech, and Maria Ochs, 10, of Carpentersville for oral interpretation.

State Fair alternates include Brooke McCullough, 10, of St. Charles for her prepared speech and Rebecca Rickert, 16, of Elgin for her oral interpretation piece.

Grand Champion Public Presentations honors went to Brooke McCullough of St. Charles for the 8-12 age group, with Ochs earning the Reserve Champion title at that level. In the 13-18 age group, Vandermeij took home the purple Grand Champion ribbon with Klinkey receiving the Reserve honors.

Public Presentations is just one of the many 4-H projects youth may enroll in, Braddock said. There are hundreds of 4-H project areas, including science, robotics, leadership and arts, 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.

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