4-H public speaking event at Cornell

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, November 2, 2006

Youth from across New York state exhibited their knowledge and skills at the New York State 4-H Public Presentations Event on Sept. 30 in Morrison Hall.

Eighty-four teens from 35 different counties were selected to participate in this year’s program. State presenters are selected within each county on the strength of their presentation content and the level of skill performance they display.

Representing Niagara County were Samuel Mansfield and Adam Lajoie, with a team dramatic interpretation; and Matthew Sweeney and Emily VanBuren with speeches. Receiving silver seals were Lajoie, Mansfield and Matthew Sweeney.

Emily VanBuren won a Gold Medal for her Patrick Henry speech.

Young people, ranging in age from 13 to 19, who are involved in the 4-H Youth Development program, researched, developed and presented at county and district levels aiming to advance to the state event at Cornell. At each level of participation, the young people presented their topics before evaluators who critique their performance, educating them on their presentation strengths and weaknesses.

Teens are chosen in five categories - demonstrations, illustrated talks, speeches, recitation, and dramatic interpretations - and represent the highest public speaking abilities throughout the state in the 4-H arena. Presenters at the state level are evaluated by teams of evaluators made up of Cornell students, faculty and staff who meet the criteria needed to fill the shoes of a 4-H Public Presentation Evaluator. Gold, silver and bronze seals are awarded to the presenters, depending on their numerical scoring, with gold being the highest point of excellence. The presenters falling within the gold seal level of scoring who obtained the top three highest scores in each category received gold, silver and bronze medal awards respectively.