Contests

Public Speaking Contest

Learning to speak in public is one of the best life skills that we can help our youth develop. Alumni of the 4-H program often point to public speaking as one of the most useful lessons they learned in 4-H, leading to success in their future careers. In the public presentation program, youth learn to organize their ideas, to share emotions and creativity, and to communicate clearly. Additionally, they develop subject matter expertise and gain self-confidence.

The 4-H Public Presentation program is designed to provide a safe, age-appropriate environment for 4-H members to develop communication skills. By participating in a variety of presentation types, members will be able to find comfortable starting points, as well as new challenges.

Members can compete at the county, state, and in some cases, the national level, earning recognition for their achievements! The Colorado 4-H Public Presentation program currently offers four competitive divisions: Demonstration & Illustrated Talk, Prepared (Formal) Speech, Impromptu Speech, and Interpretive Reading. Demonstration & Illustrated Talk is the only contest that can have a team of two.

Members are encouraged to review the expectations and requirements for each of the divisions and choose the area(s) in which they would like to participate. Each of the competitive divisions will have three classes: Juniors (4-H age 8–10), Intermediates (4-H age 11–13), and Seniors (4-H age 14–18.) There will be no events for Cloverbuds (4-H age 5–7).

Please sign up here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AACAD29A4FC1-public.

For questions about the Public Speaking Contest, please contact Kara Rudnick (kara.rudnick@gmail.com).

Save the Date: 4-H State Conference 2023

2023 Colorado 4-H State Conference will be held June 20–23, 2023 on the Colorado State University Campus in Fort Collins, CO.  4HOnline registration will tentatively open April 14. This event is open to senior members ages 14–18 (4-H age).

The State 4-H office is currently in the process of finalizing conference events, schedules, and registration details. 2023 state contest rules that are available are posted at https://co4h.colostate.edu/sc-contest-rules/.

More information will be shared as it becomes available in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing you all on campus in June.

Informational Meeting about Family Consumer Science Contest Team

Are you looking to enhance your 4-H experience? The Larimer County Family Consumer Science (FCS) Contest Team is looking for more members. We are open to anyone in grades 6–12. We will learn a variety of topics that relate to real-life experiences like Personal Finance (including banking, budgeting, buying a car, and planning for college costs), Consumer Rights and Responsibilities, Health and Safety, Technology and Workforce Preparation, and the Environment. This is a great opportunity to develop life skills for your future, attend contests around the state and nationally, and receive scholarships.  

There will be an informational meeting on Zoom on Tuesday, January 24 from 6:30–7:30 p.m.  Please attend if you are interested or have more questions. The Zoom link was emailed to all enrolled 4-H families. (Please email info@hch4h.org or csh@frii.com if you would like to attend but did not receive the email with the link.)

JAX 2023 Calendar Photo Contest

This calendar photo contest provides an opportunity to highlight the outdoors, farm lives, animals, and adventures of the JAX community. It is open to customers and employees. Entries are being accepted through August 12, 2022. Those chosen for the calendars will win JAX gift cards.

Photo themes encouraged:

  • Adventures in the great outdoors
  • Animals, pets, and livestock
  • Country landscapes
  • Farm life
  • Seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter
  • Green living
  • Local causes & community
  • Nature up-close
  • Weather

Click here to enter the contest.

Registration for 4-H Contests: Cake Decorating, Creative Cooks, Public Speaking (Presentation)

Deadline Extended

The registration deadline for the Cake Decorating Contest and Creative Cooks has been extended to May 15th!

From Katie Daywalker
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development & Leadership

I’m excited to announce that registration is now open for three upcoming contests: Cake Decorating, Creative Cooks, and Public Speaking (Presentation).

The Cake Decorating Contest is for Cake Decorating members.

The Creative Cooks Contest & Public Presentation Contest are open to ALL 4-H members, including Cloverbuds.

Details, how to register, and rules are below. If you have any questions, please reach out to Katie Daywalker at kdaywalker@larimer.org or 970-498-6007. 

Parents and volunteers: We still need additional volunteers to support these contests! Please reach out to Katie Daywalker at kdaywalker@larimer.org or at 970-498-6007 if you can offer your support. If your child is participating in one of these contests, we can ensure that you have time to support your child as well.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

2022 Larimer County Cake Decorating Contest and Creative Cooks Contest

Saturday, May 21 from 12:45–5:00 p.m.

McKee Building, The Ranch

Register on 4HOnline under “Events.” Registration is open through May 6 at 11:59 p.m. 

Click here for the Cake Decorating Contest Rules.

Click here for the Creative Cooks Contest Rules.

  • The Cake Decorating Contest is open to 4-H members currently enrolled in the Cake Decorating project, and Cloverbuds as well.
    • If you are the parent of a Cloverbud who would like to participate but has not participated in any of the cake decorating workshops, please contact Stephanie Morrison at cowboyalltheway@icloud.com.
  • The Creative Cooks Contest is open to all 4-H members, including Cloverbuds.
  • Please review the attached rules for each contest to learn more!

2022 Larimer County Public Speaking (Presentation) Contest

Saturday, June 4 from 1:00–5:00 p.m.

McKee Building, The Ranch

Register by clicking here to fill out the entry form. Registration will close on May 25 at 11:59 p.m.

Click here for the Public Speaking (Presentation) Contest Rules.

  • The Public Presentation Contest is open to all 4-H members, including Cloverbuds.
  • Please review the attached Information Packet to learn more about the contest and review the rules. 
  • Attention Senior Members: If you plan to participate in one of the following divisions and are interested in competing at State Conference in June should you qualify, you must register for that Contest Division at State Conference before the May 15th deadline. We will discuss the next steps with you after the contest on June 4th depending on whether you qualify. You will not owe payment for State Conference prior to determining whether you qualify at the contest on June 4th. 
  • Divisions (for Senior members only):
    • Horse Demonstration
    • Horse Public Speaking (Prepared Speech) 
    • Prepared Speech
    • Impromptu Speech

Beekeeping News for April 13, 2022

Beekeeping is a new project available this year and it has 4-H members buzzing with activity. Members who are starting their own hives this year are busy as bees in preparation. Here we see one member building a hive that’s fit for a queen.

All 4-H members are invited to attend a special presentation on “The History of Beekeeping.” Special guest Lorna McCallister from The Butterfly Pavilion will provide an educational insight into beekeeping. We encourage all 4-H members to attend this learning opportunity on April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the McKee Building at The Ranch. Registration is required—click here to register.

Colorado 4-H is also hosting a Beekeeping Essay Contest. This contest is open to all 4-H members no need to be in the beekeeping project. The winning essay will receive $100 and will be sent on to the National 4-H Contest for the chance to compete for the $750 winning prize money! Essays are due by April 29. Contest rules and details are available here.

Public Presentation Contest Results

The Public Presentation Contest was held on May 1, 2021. Here are the results sorted by category and age division.

Demonstration or Illustrated Talk

Cloverbud

Member Name
Corbin Palmer
London Kingry

Junior

AwardMember NameTitle
ChampionSloane KingryHow to Pot a Plant
Reserve ChampionAdler PalmerTry to Tie Your Own Fly

Intermediate

AwardMember NameTitle
ChampionGwyn KingryDog Training
Reserve ChampionStephen LaffeyThe Case Against the Minimum Wage

Senior

AwardMember NameTitle
ChampionKammi CarsonWestern Showmanship
Reserve ChampionAudrey LaffeyWhat is Mise en Scene?

Impromptu Speech

Intermediate

AwardMember NameTitle
ChampionStephen LaffeyCommunity Service

Senior

AwardMember NameTitle
ChampionJessica LaffeyWhat Animals Teach 4-Hers about Responsibility

Horse Demonstration or Illustrated Talk

Intermediate

AwardMember NameTitle
ChampionAlexis GrundyLaminitis

Senior

AwardMember NameTitle
ChampionKammi CarsonWestern Showmanship

Prepared Speech

Senior

AwardMember NameTitle
ChampionJessica LaffeyWhy 4-H?

Interpretive Reading

Intermediate

AwardMember NameTitle
ChampionStephen LaffeyKing Henry Exerpt

Senior

AwardMember NameTitle
ChampionAudrey LaffeyThe American Character – JFK
Reserve ChampionJessica LaffeyJFK’s Inaugural Address
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