Youth Speak Up at Chautauqua County 4-H Public Presentation Day

Jamestown, NEW YORK (February 19, 2025) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program recently held their annual Public Presentation contest at Jamestown Community College on January 25, 2025. This year 80 youth ages 5-18 stepped up to the challenge and gave presentations on topics ranging from “Summer Jobs on a Grape Farm” and the “Cattle Digestive System” to “The Shot Heard Around the World”. Presentation styles can include demonstration, illustrated talk, speech, dramatic interpretation, and recitation.

The presentation contest is designed to challenge 4-H’ers as they research and develop knowledge, prepare material on a particular subject, and present it publicly. Public speaking aligns with the New York State 4-H Youth Development values that promote the development of skills that help young people succeed in higher education, their chosen career path, and as members of their families and communities. Although public speaking is not something most people typically enjoy, this contest provides an opportunity for 4-H'ers to develop and practice communication skills, build self-confidence, enhance knowledge in a selected subject matter area, and share information with others. After each presentation, teams of volunteer evaluators provide feedback to the youth, recognizing their abilities and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of their presentation.

We commend and congratulate all who stepped up to the challenge to prepare and present their topics on Public Presentation Day! Youth who gave exceptional presentations were selected to participate in the Western District Public Presentation Day contest at the Revive Wesleyan Church in Hamburg, NY on March 29th. This year Tyler Crowell, Emerson Dodd, Katherine Fortna, Elizabeth Jones, Isabella Jones, Drake Joy, Ava Meyer, Grace Meyer, Ava Nearhoof, and Madalyn Reading were selected to participate at the Western District level with Logan Ellsworth and Owen Carlberg serving as alternates. Youth that excel in presenting at the Western District level may become eligible to move onto experiences and competitions with other 4-H’ers from the state who have also excelled in public speaking.

Youth members have other opportunities to give presentations at their club and animal projects as well as at the 4-H Youth Building at the Chautauqua County Fair.

The 4-H Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated February 19, 2025