Willow Creek 4-H District holds communications speak off

By Alexis Way – Willow Creek District 4-H and Fort Macleod Midnight Riders 4-H Horse Club
Well, it was a blistery snowy Saturday afternoon, on March 2 as the Willow Creek 4-H District Communications 2023-2024 speak offs were hosted at Granum School. There were 30 members participating, between the Claresholm Beef, Claresholm Multi, Fort Macleod Beef, Fort Macleod Midnight Riders, and Stavely-Parkland 4-H clubs, competing in prepared speeches, impromptus and presentations for the top three in each category of juniors, intermediates and seniors.
4-H is high on the development of communication skills, as it enhances 4-H members to learn to evaluate basic skills and build confidence to express ourselves in various life situations and for life-long learning. Every member should be so impressed with themselves for their efforts and their skill.
Speakers and judges arrived at 12:45 p.m. When they walked through the door, they were greeted by Sophia Slettede of Claresholm Beef and Alexis Way of the Midnight Riders. Upon being checked in, you were directed to your room based on what level you were and whether you were doing a speech or presentation. The groups were divided into two rooms. Room one, had junior speeches, junior presentations, and senior presentations with Madisyn Daley of Claresholm Beef as mistress of ceremonies and 14 members competing. Room two, had both intermediate speeches and presentations and senior speeches, with Madison Kissinger of the Midnight Riders as mistress of ceremonies and 16 members competing.
The speak-offs began at 1 p.m. with nine judges in each room. Three each for impromptus, presentations, and prepared speeches. We appreciate all our judges for volunteering and giving us back some constructive criticism. You are what made this day possible and so beneficial to our development.
About halfway through we took a 10-minute break to stretch our legs and visit. After the break we jumped right back in.
Once the speeches and presentations were completed, we went and had refreshments of pulled pork on a bun with snacks, while the score sheets were marked and tallied. Once results were all in, we went back in and listened to more speeches as there were two ties in the intermediate group.
In speeches, there was a tie between Faye Todd of Claresholm Beef and Alexis Way of the Midnight Riders for third place. In presentations, there was a tie between Sophia Slettede and Mark Penner, both of Claresholm Beef, for second place. As a tiebreaker, there was an impromptu speech held between each set of speakers, so back to the classroom we went, to speak it out.
Once the calculation of points was finalized, awards and gifts were presented in the gymnasium.
In the junior level, for speeches, Katie Spencer of Stavely/Parkland was first, Emaleigh Daley of Fort Macleod Beef was second, followed by Brody Bischler of Fort Macleod Beef with third.
For presentations, Myrah Slettede of Claresholm Beef earned first place, Kendal DeKok of Fort Macleod Beef in second and Ella Patton of Stavely/Parkland with third.
In the intermediate level, for speeches, Annie Milligan of the Midnight Riders took first, Claire Habraken of Claresholm Beef was second and Faye Todd of Stavely/Parkland placed third.
For presentations, Mini Habraken of Stavely/Parkland took first, with Mark Penner of Claresholm Beef in second, followed by Sophia Slettede of Claresholm Beef in third.
With the senior level, for speeches, we have Rylen Guitton of Claresholm Beef who took first place with Kilee Lange of Stavely/Parkland in second and Sophia Busmann in third.
For presentations, Janell Lange of Stavely/Parkland was uncontested.
We are grateful to all our leaders, timers, volunteers, and parents for making this day possible. A big shout out goes to all the judges for their continued support in 4-H, and for volunteering their time to judge and give the speakers valuable encouraging written comments. We also appreciate Granum School for letting us use their school for the speak-offs and to the sponsor of communications in 4-H clubs across Alberta.
Every member should be so impressed with themselves for their efforts and their skill. Everyone did an awesome job with their inspiring speeches or presentations. Everyone who attended gained some great insight on so many topics.
Congratulations and best of luck to our intermediate and senior speakers who placed first and second, or their alternate, who will advance to the Southern Regional Communications Event on March 16, 2024, at Lethbridge College.