Communicating. Nerves. Orange Drink.

 

 

 

Who, reading this post, is afraid of getting up in front of a group of people and talking? What about if that group includes a panel of judges that will be scoring you on your talk- the content, progression, intro, conclusion, your manner of speaking, your appearance, your knowledge of the subject, etc.?

Who, reading the sentences above is too timid to even raise their hand? Sitting alone, at your computer...?

A few? Several? Most?

Talking in front of a crowd is tough. Doing it for the purpose of being judged? Tougher. So, I am so proud of my kids- two of my own, and more of my "4-H kids", who, last night, threw themselves into the ring and did so at the Pickaway County Communications Contest.

The contest is open to any 4-H'er in the county, of which there are 40 clubs with more than 700 members. I was extremely proud of our club having 5 members brave enough to "give it a go".

It started out with the Senior Demonstration/Illustrated Talk category. Eldest went second, and did an amazing job with her Illustrated Talk; "Congenital Heart Disease". I was so involved in the lecture-  you had to pay attention or be lost- I forgot to take her picture. But, she set the bar super high, even getting a perfect score from one of the judges.

Youngest led off the Junior Demonstration/Illustrated Talk category with his Demonstration on Letterboxing. I could tell he was nervous, but he hides it so well. Thorough, clear, funny, he did a wonderful job. Also achieving near perfect scores.

This is their second year in a row winning the county contest. I think there is a big "X" on his back now, as the one to beat! Eldest steps off the podium to go to college, and leaves at the top.



 

 

Senior winners!

 

After a huge stack of cookies and several cups of orange drink, the nerves are gone, but the sugar rush will last for hours.

Okay, a couple of words about this one. These are Saddle and Sirloin 4-H Club kids, 5 of whom are old enough to participate and speak. The three in the front are too young as of yet, but getting a road paved to do so. And, the main paver? The tall one on the right. These kids all look up to her, not just because she's really tall. Parents can only do so much. We have 70+ kids in our club and having a large group of strong teens - a group of whom we can be proud- is a real treasure.
As for the boy in the back, middle, holding up the blue ribbon? Well, the ribbon tells us "leader" the expression- not so much. He isn't a teen yet!