By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
4-H Students Compete in Public Speaking Contests
4-H
Pictured (4th Grade) back row are Natali Johnson, Riley Scarbro, Haydin Stacy, Chaelyn Hollingsworth, Austin O’Connor, Elyza Collier, and Travis Childers. Pictured front row are Kara Kelso, Emily Roberts (1st Place), Grady Thomason (2nd place), Bentley Martin (3rd place), and Aiden Cook.
4-H
Pictured (5th grade) back row are Balei Benson, Kenna Sykes, Ella Kirksey, and Hannah Tobitt. Pictured front row are Adam Brown, Payne Bryant (2nd place), Cora Cox (1st place), and Emmaline Hendrix (3rd place). Not pictured is Kinli Fish.
4-H
Pictured (6th-12th grade) are Bella Franz (1st place in 7th grade), Chaylea Lunsford (2nd place in 8th grade), Jacklyn Kleparek (1st place in 11th grade), Cali Agee (1st place in 8th grade), and Triniti Kelsor (1st place in 6th grade).

“If I went back to college again, I’d concentrate on two areas: learning to write and to speak before an audience. Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.” -Gerald R. Ford.

Local students participated in DeKalb County’s Public Speaking Contest that was held on the evening of January 11, 2022, after having to be postponed due to winter weather. These students have yet to attend college, yet they are doing what most adults fear: Public Speaking! These students have also worked hard and have overcome obstacles to be able to speak in front of a crowd.

Each of the students (4th-6th grade) won their individual classroom contest and were eligible to move on to compete in the County Contest. Students in 4th-6th grade have classroom contests to earn their spot in the county contest. The county contest is also open to all 7th-12th graders each year.

Students who won 1st or 2nd in their age group were eligible to compete in the regional competition on Monday, January 24, in Putnam County. Jacklyn Kleparek placed in the top 5 in the 11th grade division and is eligible to compete in the Central Region Senior High Public Speaking Contest on February 5, 2022 at Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN.

We are extremely proud of our students for all their accomplishments and look forward to the things they will accomplish in the future!