by Katie Martin, Extension Agent – 4-H Youth Development, UT Extension Smith County
The Smith County 4-H Public Speaking Contest was held over two days this year in order to promote social distancing. We held 4th and 6th grade contests on Monday, December 7 and 5th and 7th-12th grade contests on Tuesday, December 8 at Smith County Middle School. The local 4-H clubs from the entire county were represented by nearly 40 4th-10th grade 4-H’ers who competed in this contest.
The final results of the county contest are as follows:
4th Grade
1st – Maci Cook, DES
2nd – Kylie Harville, GES
3rd – Makenna Hassler, CES
5th Grade
1st – Matthew Blankenship, GES
2nd – Gage Blair, SCMS
3rd – Tynleigh Upchurch, SCMS
3rd – Turner Harville, Homeschool
6th Grade
1st – Addilyn Bush, GES
2nd – Logan Colyer, SCMS
3rd – Samuel Moss, GES
8th Grade
1st – Gabe Harville, SCMS
2nd – Abby Purtee, Homeschool
3rd – Shelby Bamford, SCMS
3rd – Kynlee Davis, Homeschool
10th Grade
1st – Carson Meeks, Homeschool
Thank you to the parents, grandparents, teachers, principals, and all who have encouraged and assisted these 4-H’ers with their speeches. We certainly appreciate Smith County Middle School for the use of their facilities in conducting this contest. This speech contest was a great success due to the support of these 4-H’ers, parents, and volunteers!
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.
Call 735-2900 for further information relating to the many 4-H activities and events available to our great young people in Smith County.
In no particular order, 4th graders who competed were Dannica Allison, Maci Cook, Tucker Dillard, Eli Dolby, Kinley Duncan, Kirsten Felice, Jude Finley, Courtney Haley, Kylie Harville, Makenna Hassler, Catherine Sircy, Keaton West, and Cooper Wright. Not pictured: Tana Harville.
In no particular order, 5th graders who competed were Bella Anderson, Gage Blair, Matthew Blankenship, Peyton Binkley, Carlie Maynard, Kadence Poindexter, Tynleigh Upchurch, Hailey Markham, Heather Bailey, and Riley Killmon. Not pictured: Turner Harville
6th graders from Left to Right: Logan Colyer, Nathaniel Bryan, Samuel Moss, Addilyn Bush, Tobey Carter, Taylor Lester, Ava Barker, and Hailey Bogle.
From Left to Right: 8th grader Kynlee Davis, 10th grader Carson Meeks, 8th grader Shelby Bamford, and 8th grader Abby Purtee.
