Forty Four enthusiastic 4-H members competed in the 2016 Sussex County 4-H Public Speaking Contest on Saturday, February 6 at the Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research & Education Center. Speech topics included animals, vacation and personal experiences, 4-H projects, leadership, and role models. Six energetic Cloverbuds (ages 5-7) also participated in the event this year! After a record sign up, the rooms had to be split and were filled to capacity. It was a fun, informative evening! After the 44 fantastic speeches, the audience and participants enjoyed refreshments while judges reviewed scores and selected awards for the participants. A special thank you to 4-H Leader, Tammy LeCates, for serving as chairperson of this event.
Top Award Winners included:
Beginner I (8-9 year old) Division: Carter Bradley, Bridgeville Mustangs, “Presidential Facts”
Beginner II Division (10-11 year old): Anna Lopez, Hollymount, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”
Junior Divison (12-13 year old): Jenna Anger, Bridgeville Mustangs, “Tiny but Mighty”
Senior Division (14-19 year old): Jill Koski, Seaford Blue Jays, “We Never Talk Anymore”
Other ribbon winners were: Cloverbuds – Micah Boyce, Cody Elmer, Keira Fletcher, Addison Freebery, Logan Jackson and Francesca Joella
Beginner I (8-9 year old) – Devon Allen, Breoja Dixon, Aaron Elmer, Shelana Elmer, Bailey Fletcher, Kieran Probert, Jasmine Simmons and Benjamin Warren
Beginner II (10-11 year old) – Alexis Boyer, Dakota Carmona, Diamond Carmona, Ryleigh Cunnane, Jordan Elmer, Gianna Joella, Katie Kuhlman, Sundene Lodge, Zoe Probert, Connor Smith, Hailey Smith, Aydan Vanderwende and Nizair White
Junior (12-13 year old) – Emily Hudson, Trey Lodge, Samantha Messick, Gabriella Morra, Ben Ockels, Matthew Rieley and Miguel Rodriguez
Senior (14-19 year old) – Meredith Carey, Destiny Carmona, Thomas McCabe, Taylor Messick, Daniel Tull and Alanna Vanderwende
Contest Judges included: Holly Anderson, Sylvia Bradley, The Honorable M. Jane Brady, Marlene Brown, Rene Diaz, Pam Eskridge, Michael Smith, Alan Stafford and Dan Tabler
Emcees and Judges Assistants were: Colleen Anderson, Rebecca Arpie, Jenna Anger, Thomas McCabe and Alyssa Thawley.
Event Photographer: Jackie Arpie
Photos from this event can be found on the Delaware 4-H Flickr page.