The annual Smith County 4-H Public Speaking Contest was held at Smith County Middle School on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Public speaking is no easy feat, but 48 brave and talented 4th-12th grade 4-H’ers from across Smith County competed by giving a prepared speech, ranging from 1-7 minutes depending on grade level.
4-H’ers received an invitation to the county-wide contest by placing 1st or 2nd in their classroom speech contest in November. Over 800 speeches were given by 4-H’ers at the local 4-H club level this year! Public speaking is an essential life skill that we hope these 4-H’ers will continue to cultivate and use in the future.
We are proud of each and every student who gave a speech and especially proud of the ones who chose to move on to the next level of competition!
Awards for the 2024 Smith County 4-H Public Speaking Contest went to:
4th Grade
· 1st Place – Lizzy Taylor, FRS
· 2nd Place – Chance Medley, CES
· 3rd Place – Jake Myers, FRS
Also competing in the 4th Grade Division were Katherine Bass, Chloe Beechboard, Aryabell Chastain, Presley Gibbs, Ainsley Hassler, Aden King, Willow Lawrence, Bradley Linville, Eli Mock, Izabelle Quick, Morgan Richel, and Sebastian Strifler.
5th Grade
· 1st Place – Scarlett Hicks, FRS
· 2nd Place – Josie Harville, Homeschool
· 3rd Place – Addison Harville, GES
· 3rd Place – McCall Kemp, DES
· 3rd Place – Carson Mullinax, GMU
Also competing in the 5th Grade Division were Eli Alexander, Titus Chartier, Colleen Dula, Gavin Hackett, McKenzie Haley, Josie Harville, Kennadie Hensley, Jax Mason, Greer Sykes, Ezra Williams, and Katie Wilson.
6th Grade
· 1st Place – Aubrey Hicks, FRS
· 2nd Place – Kennadie Brooks, GES
· 3rd Place – Marshall Taylor, FRS
Also competing in the 6th Grade Division were Cecelia Cowan, Charlotte Driver, Oakley Lawrence, Tripp Medley, Jackson Phillips, Chloe Williams, and Avery Yerge.
7th Grade
· 1st Place – Avery Myers, FRS
· 2nd Place – Luke Chartier, Homeschool
8th Grade
· 1st Place – Maddux Parker, SCMS
· 2nd Place – Makenna Hassler, GMU
· 3rd Place – Kara Brooks, SCMS
10th Grade
· 1st Place – Bradley Yerge, Homeschool
12th Grade
· 1st Place – Abby Purtee, Homeschool
· 2nd Place – Kynlee Davis, Homeschool
The top two contestants in each division will have the opportunity to move on to compete at the sub-regional contest that will be held in Cookeville in January.
Smith County 4-H would like to thank the administrators and faculty at Smith County Middle School for allowing us to host our event there.
Thank you also to following community members who graciously volunteered their time and attention to serve as judges: Catherine Chapman, George Clay, Grace Griffin, Karly Keen, Abby Malone, Justin Mauldin, Tristan Pope, Kaye Shores, and Sarah Marie Smith.
Current 4-H’ers Emmy Bibbings and Turner Harville and 4-H Volunteer Leisa Bibbings helped facilitate the event by serving as room chairs.
Finally, thank you to all of the family members, teachers, principals, and others who have encouraged and assisted these 4-H’ers with their speeches. Your support and their hard work is evident and appreciated!
The 4-H Youth Development Program delivers programs through cooperative efforts of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, and public and private sector volunteers. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades 4-12, on an age-appropriate
basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
Please call 615-735-2900 for further information regarding the many 4-H activities and events available for our great young people in Smith County.
