| Each year there are more than 60,000 speeches given in local 4-H public speaking contests across Tennessee. Out of these, 24 4-H members competed for state honors. This year, we were able to host the public speaking contest at the 74th Tennessee 4-H Congress. Participants delivered their prepared speech and extemporaneous speech to 15 judges. The judges then evaluated each speech for organization, accuracy, and effect. The 4-H members competed to earn a cash award from the Henry County Extension staff and a silver bowl provided by the Lute Truett Memorial fund. In addition, the 11th grade state winner received a $500 scholarship provided by the friends and family of Lorna Norwood in her memory and the 12th grade state winner received a $1,000 scholarship provided by the family of Leon Foster in his memory. The participants in the 9th grade division were: Abigail Berny – Williamson County Courtney Campbell – Dickson County Olivia Castle – Washington County Ella Flynn – Macon County Steven Gibson – Hardeman County Jonathan Benjamin Tindell – Union County The state winner, receiving a silver bowl and a cash award was Ella Flynn of Macon County. The participants in the 10th grade division were: Savannah Agee-Jackson County Courtney Campbell-Dickson County Olivia Castle-Washington County Travis Hanna-Union County Amelia Langford-Dyer County Cade Simmons-Van Buren County The state winner, receiving a silver bowl and a cash award was Savannah Agee of Jackson County. The participants in the 11th grade division were: Caroline Burns-Hamilton County Britta Gaetjens-Putnam County Cloe Murray-Roane County Christopher Smith-Dickson County Maddie Grace Thierfelder-Madison County The state winner, receiving a $500 scholarship provided by the friends and family of Lorna Norwood in her memory, a silver bowl, and a cash award was Christopher Smith of Dickson County. The participants in the 12th grade division were: Taylor Cantrell-Dyer County Eden Carnes-Blount County Kelsey Guy-Cumberland County Eleanor Israel-Williamson County Olivia Julian-Weakley County Leah Kennedy-Williamson County The state winner, receiving a $1,000 scholarship provided by the family of Leon Foster in his memory, a silver bowl, and a cash award was Taylor Cantrell of Dyer County. Congratulations to all the contestants. The hard work and dedication of each participant was evident in the creative and informative speeches. Lastly, I would like to thank the donors and judges for investing time, energy, and resources into the 4-H members of Tennessee. |
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