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HARTINGTON — Public speaking contests help youth develop skills for communicating to audiences, learn how to organize and prepare a speech, develop speech delivery skills, learn how to present themselves to others, and develop self-confidence.
There were 11 4-H members awarded ribbons at the 2025 Cedar County 4-H Public Speaking Contest held April 21 at Hartington Public Library. Participants were able to present a speech and/or a recorded PSA and/or multimedia video.
Speeches were presented in four speech divisions: Clover Kid, Novice, Junior, and Intermediate.
Clover Kids, youth ages 5-7, participate in a non-competitive fashion by reciting a poem, chant, read or tell a short story and receive a rainbow ribbon. Participants in the Clover Kid Division included Emily Feilmeier, daughter of Kacie and Dave Feilmeier, Hartington, recited “Homework Stew;” Wyatt Benscoter, son of Brittni and Louis Benscoter, Hartington, read “Please Don’t Prank Your Parents;” Abigail Beckman, daughter of Ben and Sierra Beckman, Hartington, recited “Birds at the Fair;” Levi Mann, son of Kayla and Austin Mann, Hartington, read “The Hockey Prayer;” Nora Sudbeck, daughter of Emily and Aaron Sudbeck, Hartington, read the book “Big Bub, Small Tub.”
In the Novice Speech Division, youth ages 8-11, who have never competed in the 4-H speech contest except as a Clover Kid, may recite a poem, read, or tell a story. The participant in the Novice division, Ellie Mae Sudbeck, daughter of Emily and Aaron Sudbeck, Hartington, received a purple ribbon and Novice Division Champion Medal for her recitation of “Hansel and Gretel and the Amazing Adventure.”
In the Junior Speech Division, youth ages 8-10 write an original speech 1-3 minutes long about an aspect of 4-H.
Participants in the Junior Division included Clara Wuebben, daughter of Anne and Craig Wuebben, Fordyce, received a purple ribbon for her speech entitled “4-H Rollercoaster;” Alma White, daughter of Laura and Anthony White, Laurel, secured a purple ribbon for her speech entitled “Basketball and 4-H are the Same Thing;” and Levi Steen, son of Jackie and Brad Steen, Hartington, award ed a purple ribbon and the Junior Speech Division Champion Medal for his speech entitled “Creating a Winning Team on the Court and in the Ring.”
In the Intermediate Speech Division, youth ages 11-13 write an original speech 3-5 minutes in length that includes 4-H as the major component of the speech. Stella Graham, daughter of Melissa and Jonathan Graham, wrote a speech entitled “How 4-H Shapes Leaders.” Stella accepted a purple ribbon and Intermediate Speech Division Champion Medal.
4-H members were also able to participate in a Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) category in which they recorded a 60-second radio spot promoting 4-H and using the theme “Ready Through 4-H and Beyond.”
Participants in the PSA Division were Stella Graham, daughter of Melissa and Jonathan Graham, Laurel, received a purple ribbon; Eliza Feilmeier, daughter of Kaci and Dave Feilmeier, was presented with a purple ribbon and Overall Champion PSA Medal.
4-H members also participated in a Video Communication category in which they created a 60-90 second multi-media video around the theme “Ready Through 4-H and Beyond.” Stella Graham, daughter of Jonathan and Melissa Graham of Laurel, was the Video Communication participant and obtained a purple ribbon and the Overall Champion Video Communication Medal.
The Nebraska 4-H Premier Communications Event will be held June 19-20, at University of Nebraska Lincoln East Campus. Those selected to represent Cedar County at the Premier Communications Event are Clara Wuebben, Levi Steen and Alma White for Junior Speech; Stella Graham for Intermediate Speech; Eliza Feilmeier for Junior PSA; Stella Graham for Intermediate PSA and Intermediate Video.
This year’s judges were Emma Krysl and Stephanie Harder who provided comments and encouragement to all the participants. The Public Speaking Contest medals were sponsored by Bank of Hartington, First State Bank of Randolph, Security Bank, Citizens State Bank, and Farm Credit Services of American – Yankton.Participants in the Junior Division included Clara Wuebben, daughter of Anne and Craig Wuebben, Fordyce, received a purple ribbon for her speech entitled “4-H Rollercoaster;” Alma White, daughter of Laura and Anthony White, Laurel, secured a purple ribbon for her speech entitled “Basketball and 4-H are the Same Thing;" and Levi Steen, son of Jackie and Brad Steen, Harting ton, awarded a purple ribbon and the Junior Speech Division Champion Medal for his speech entitled “Creating a Winning Team on the Court and in the Ring.”
In the Intermediate Speech Division, youth ages 11-13 write an original speech 3-5 minutes in length that includes 4-H as the major component of the speech. Stella Graham, daughter of Melissa and Jonathan Graham, wrote a speech entitled “How 4-H Shapes Leaders.” Stella accepted a purple ribbon and Intermediate Speech Division Champion Medal.
4-H members were also able to participate in a Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) category in which they recorded a 60-second radio spot promoting 4-H and using the theme “Ready Through 4-H and Beyond.”
Participants in the PSA Division were Stella Graham, daughter of Melissa and Jonathan Graham, Laurel, received a purple ribbon; Eliza Feilmeier, daughter of Kaci and Dave Feilmeier, was presented with a purple ribbon and Overall Champion PSA Medal.
4-H members also participated in a Video Communication category in which they created a 60-90 second multi-media video around the theme “Ready Through 4-H and Beyond.” Stella Graham, daughter of Jonathan and Melissa Graham of Laurel, was the Video Communication participant and obtained a purple ribbon and the Overall Champion Video Communication Medal.
The Nebraska 4-H Premier Communications Event will be held June 19-20, at University of Nebraska Lincoln East Campus. Those selected to represent Cedar County at the Premier Communications Event are Clara Wuebben, Levi Steen and Alma White for Junior Speech; Stella Graham for Intermediate Speech; Eliza Feilmeier for Junior PSA; Stella Graham for Intermediate PSA and Intermediate Video.
This year’s judges were Emma Krysl and Stephanie Harder who provided comments and encouragement to all the participants. The Public Speaking Contest medals were sponsored by Bank of Hartington, First State Bank of Randolph, Security Bank, Citizens State Bank, and Farm Credit Services of America – Yankton, S.D.
