What are your greatest fears? For most Americans, public speaking is towards the top of the list. However, this is a skill that is important no matter what career field you are in. Many DeKalb County
4-H members are learning to overcome their nerves when speaking to a group.
On Jan. 8 the county public speaking contest was held at the Community Complex. Students in 4th-6th grade held classroom contests to earn their spot at the county level. The contest is open to all 7th-12th graders each year. In 4th grade, Silas Kirksey (Northside) placed first, McKenzie Moss (Northside) placed second, and third went to Elizabeth Mosely (Northside). In fifth grade, Cali Agee (Northside) earned first place, Addison Murphey (Northside) placed second, and Xavier Floyd (DeKalb West) was third. Placing first from 6th grade was Evan Reid (Homeschool), second went to Luke Midgett (DeKalb Middle), and Jacob Lawson (DeKalb Middle) placed third. Tess Barton (DeKalb West) placed first in 7th grade and Lilly Waggoner (DeKalb Middle) was second. Jacklyn Kleparek (DeKalb Middle) placed first in 8th grade while Cooper Brown (DeKalb Middle) was second. Clayton Crook, an 11th grader at DCHS, competed and won at the senior high level.
Altogether, there were 52 contestants at the contest. The top two in each grade will advance to the sub-regional contest, which is later this month in Cookeville. All contestants received cash awards and certificates for their hard work at the county level.
Congratulations to all these contestants and all DeKalb County 4-H’ers who gave a speech this school year,” said 4-H Extension Agent Leigh Fuson. “There were over 200 total speeches given at the classroom level.”
To learn more about 4-H activities, please
contact the DeKalb County Extension Office at 615-597-4549.
