Smith County 4-H Central Region Public Speaking Competitors Tana Harville & Turner Harville
Turner Harville – 3rd Place, 10th Grade Division
by Rachel Petty – UT Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, two Senior High 4-H’ers represented Smith County in the Central Region 4-H Public Speaking Contest held on the campus of Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee.
This competition was open to qualifying 9th-12th grade students from across the 31 counties in middle Tennessee that make up the Central Region. 4-H’ers earned an invitation to this contest by placing in the top two in their respective county public speaking contests and then placing in the top four at their respective sub-region speaking contests.
At the Central Region contest, Tana Harville competed in the 9th grade division, and Turner Harville competed in the 10th grade division.
In this competition, 4-H’ers gave a 3-7 minute prepared speech that accounted for 75% of their score and a 1-2 minute extemporaneous speech that accounted for 25% of their score. In the extemporaneous portion, contestants did not know their topic beforehand.
We are especially proud of Turner, who placed 3rd in his age group against 14 other skilled competitors!
Public speaking is a skill that our 4-H’ers will continue to use throughout their lives. Tana and Turner both represented Smith County with poise and professionalism at the county, sub-region, and regional level. Great job to both of them!
For further information regarding 4-H public speaking or any of the many 4-H activities available to our local youth, please contact 615-735-2900 or email rpetty@utk.edu.
