62 4-H’ers Compete in 2025 County-Wide 4-H Public Speaking Contest

In the 4-H world, fall always means it’s public speaking time! All throughout the month of November, close to 700 4-H’ers gave a 4-H speech in their classroom. 1st and 2nd place classroom winners were given the opportunity to advance to the county-wide Public Speaking Contest, which was held at Smith County Middle School on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.

Public speaking is no easy feat, but 62 brave and talented 4th-11th grade 4-H’ers from all across Smith County competed by giving a prepared speech, ranging from 1-7 minutes depending on grade level.

We are so proud of each and every student who gave a speech this fall and especially proud of those who chose to move on to the next level of competition! Public speaking is an essential life skill that we hope these 4-H’ers will continue to cultivate and use throughout their lives.

Awards for the 2025 Smith County 4-H Public Speaking Contest went to:

4th Grade

· 1st Place – Vega Blair, CES

· 2nd Place – Marcus Razafinjatovo, FRS

· 3rd Place – Sarah Kenny, GES

Also competing in the 4th Grade Division were Grace Binkley, Peter Chartier, Bristol Gentry, Peyton Green, Rylee Jones, Madlyn Keltner, Kellan Kemp, J Allen Kemp, Kaelyn Malone, Katherine Swann, Jolie Whited, Christina Wilson, and Luna Wright.

5th Grade

· 1st Place – Lizzy Taylor, FRS

· 2nd Place – Ainsley Hassler, GMU

· 3rd Place – Colton Hackett, GMU

Also competing in the 5th Grade Division were Katherine Bass, Chloe Beechboard, Agnes “Aggie” Gentry, Daniel Johnson, Willow Lawrence, CJ Lawson, Jonah Mauldin, Chance Medley, Jake Myers, Ava Slatton, Kynadee Smith, Sebastian Strifler, and Kayenslie Woodard.

6th Grade

· 1st Place – Scarlett Hicks, FRS

· 2nd Place – Paisley Jernigan, UHS

· 3rd Place – McCall Kemp, DES

Also competing in the 6th Grade Division were Laikin Bush, Colleen Dula, Isaac Ferrell, Brooklyn Gasnik, Josie Harville, Kyla Jackson, Dexter Manners, Jax Mason, Adley Myers, Katie Wilson, and Everett Silcox.

7th Grade

· 1st Place – Oakley Lawrence, Homeschool

· 2nd Place – Aubrey Hicks, FRS

· 3rd Place – Cecelia Cowan, SCMS

Also competing in the 7th Grade Division were Katie Belle Butler, Jorja Flynt, Rose Hughes, Tripp Medley, and Evie Wilson.

8th Grade

· 1st Place – Avery Myers, FRS

· 2nd Place – Luke Chartier, Homeschool

· 3rd Place – Lexie DeJulio, SCMS

Alija Rosenfelt also competed in the 8th Grade Division.

9th Grade

· 1st Place – Tana Harville, Homeschool

· 2nd Place – Makenna Hassler, GMU

10th Grade

· 1st Place – Turner Harville, Homeschool

11th Grade

· 1st Place – Carolyn Jones, SCHS

The top two contestants in each division will have the opportunity to compete again at the sub-regional public speaking contest which will be held in Cookeville in January 2026.

Smith County 4-H would like to thank the administrators, faculty, and staff at Smith County Middle School for allowing us to host our event there.

Thank you also to following individuals who graciously volunteered their time and expertise to serve as judges: Hannah Maddle, Courtney Dickens, Matt Inyart, Diann Bussell, Tristan Pope, JR Smith, Mary Draper, Lisa Harville, and Holly Harper.

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.