More than a dozen 4-H members from the district will be taking part in the Calgary regional 4-H communications competitions in Strathmore on March 19.
Members from the Mountain View district include Junior Prepared Speeches - Lane Kuechler (Cremona) and Sadie Winters (Sundre); Intermediate Prepared Speeches - Ashlynn Jones (Bergen) an Rowan Gottenbos (West Carstairs); Senior Prepared Speeches - Davis Gottenbos (West Carstairs) and Declan Jones (Bergen); Junior Presentations - Sabella Black and Lexi Sande (Eagle Hill) and Jaxson Coombs (Bergen); Intermediate Presentations - Griffin Keitel (Cremona) and Hunter Irwin (West Carstairs); Senior Presentations – Jorja and Bella Packer (Sundre) and Dusty Bennett (Cremona).
The regional competitions are the fourth level of competition for these 4-H members. This is also the last level of competition for the junior and intermediate members but the top two senior members will continue on to the provincial 4-H competitions.
Six senior 4-H members will also get to display their communication skills by being the MCs in each competition. 4-H is very grateful for all the distinguished judges and volunteers that come from across southern Alberta to volunteer their day to do the many duties throughout the event.
The Calgary 4-H Region consists of five districts. Each district sends forward their top two competitors in each age category and competition event.
Juniors are ages nine to 11 years old, intermediates are 12 to 14 years old, and seniors are 15 to 20 years old. There will be approximately 60 4-H members competing, entertaining and educating everyone throughout the day.
4-H members are encouraged to choose topics to speak and present on that they have an interest in. The speaking competition consists of each member presenting their prepared speech within a set time frame.
They will then give a speech on an impromptu topic, which they will only have one minute to prepare a one to two minute speech on.
The presentation competition consists of members giving their presentation in a set time frame followed by a question from one of the judges which they must answer immediately.
The high quality of communication skills that 4-H members have at this level of competition will challenge each other as well as the judges.
A very special acknowledgement to AltaLink and the Calgary Regional 4-H Council for recognizing the importance of quality communication skills that 4-H members learn through 4-H and these events. Recognizing that confident, quality communication skills is a very important asset to all 4-H members and society now and in the future.
Gottenbos is the West Carstairs 4-H leader.
