2018 Provincial Public Speaking

Apr 09, 2018
By Paula Beattie

Thirty-one 4-H members from across the province came together on April 7 for the 2018 Provincial 4-H Public Speaking Competition at the Horizon Credit Union centre in Melville to compete for the top place honours in this prestigious competition.
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Public Speaking is a very important component of the 4-H program, which helps young people to develop confidence and communication skills. All 4-H Saskatchewan members write and present a speech to their club during the 4-H year. Competitors earn their spot at the Provincial 4-H Public Speaking Competition after advancing through the club, district and regional tiers of the competition in their age category.
The opening brought about 150 people together in silence to honor and in support of those involved in the recent tragedy of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.

The speeches began at 1 p.m. and proceeded throughout the afternoon with each speaker presenting their speech in turn. All of the youth were exemplary and poised while speaking on topics that were informative, entertaining, or close to their heart.
The competition was followed by a banquet and awards ceremony where special guests the Honorable Warren Kaeding; MLA of Melville-Saltcoats, Mayor Walter Streelasky; Mayor of Melville,  Cera Youngson; Executive Director, Saskatchewan 4-H, Glenn Gress; President, 4-H Saskatchewan, Suzette Szumutku; Guest Speaker, sponsors: Mike Fisher; Painted Hand CDC, Patricia Taillon; SGEU working Together For Saskatchewan, Becky Niessen; F.C.C, Lorie Chambers, Bell, Krecklewich & Chambers Barristers & Solicitors.

In the Cloverbud category, for members aged six to eight, Sunny Cooper earned first place with her speech “The Time I Almost Lost My Marbles.” Sunny is from the South West region, and a member of the Eston Multiple 4-H Club. She spends her days playing the violin, dancing and creating crafts and spending time with her brother and sister. Sunny is in the Outdoor Adventure project, as she loves being outdoors and learning about animals and safety. Sunny’s favorite part of 4-H is Public Speaking. When she was six years old she watched her brother reluctantly deliver his speech and then informed her parents that next year she was joining 4-H so she could do a speech too. She loves talking and telling stories to anyone who will listen.
Tyson Code earned first place in the Junior category, for members nine to 12 years old, with his speech topic “Giraffe.” He is a member of the Eston Multiple 4-H Club also from the South West Region and likes rodeo, roping, playing guitar, biking, the outdoors and hunting. This year he is in the welding project, which he finds fun and will be a useful skill for his future. Tyson’s favorite part of 4-H is the friends he meets along the way and the experiences it offers.

Hunter Reid earned his first place with the Intermediate category, for ages 13 to 15, with his speech topic “Courage.” He is a member of the Crown Hill 4-H Beef Club, representing the North West Region. Hunter enjoys basketball, football, dance and cooking. He is in the Beef Project, this year he has a steer named “Victor” and a heifer named “Victoria”. Hunter’s favorite part of 4-H is the animals, showing, friends and speeches. 
In the Senior category, Morgan Heidecker earned first place with her speech “Defining Success.” She is a member in the Three Lakes 4-H Beef Club, representing the North East 4-H region. Morgan’s hobbies include composing music, playing piano and singing in various Saskatoon choirs. Morgan likes to involve herself in groups and associations within the Agriculture Industry, on and off the campus of the University of Saskatchewan. She is in the Beef Project, this year taking Market Steer, Heifer and Cow Calf Projects. She feels the Beef project is important as it gives youth a better understanding of the industry and provides a financial return in which youth learn how to save money and budget. Her favorite part of 4-H is the unforgettable memories that were being made without even realizing it…The memories made while wasting time, and bringing peers, communities and members closer together.

Congratulations to all of the top placed competitors at the 2018 Provincial 4-H Public Speaking Competition, listed below with their placing, 4-H Club and speech topic.

Thank you to the clubs of the District #13 4-H Council, which includes the Goodeve Multiple 4-H Club, Melville Town ‘N’ Country 4-H Club and Neudorf Beef 4-H Club, as well as those on the Public Speaking committee for their hard work preparing and hosting this event.

Thank you to all our judges who donated their time, including Janet Gulash, Stephanie Lockhart, Cassandra Betts, Shannon Hurley, Don Coleman, Brenda Zalys, Naomi Paley, Heidi Schofer, Carol Streelasky, Jean Dales, Joanne Sebastian and Racheal Yuristy.
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Thank you to the sponsors and donors who made the 2018 Provincial 4-H Public Speaking Competition a very special day. Your generosity is truly appreciated.  Special thanks to Platinum Level Sponsors: 4-H Saskatchewan Provincial Program Partners and Painted Hand CDC, Gold Level Sponsor; SGEU Working Together For Saskatchewan, Silver Level Sponsors; FCC, Melville & District Community Foundation, Melville City & Sask Lotteries Community Grant Program, Bronze Level Sponsors; Bell, Kreklewich & Chambers Barristers & Solicitors, Bridgeview Manufacturing Ltd., Melville Chev, Prairie Co-Op, R.B.C., RM Stanley #215, Royal Drug Mart, SaskEnergy and SaskPower.