800 4-Hers compete in public-speaking contests
With more than 800 speeches presented in this year’s local 4-H public-speaking contests, being named a county winner said a lot about the member’s ability to speak effectively in front of an audience.
Kenny Trace Humphrey, Katie Wade, Gideon Chandler, Wesley Chandler, Isabella Smith, Bonnie Chandler, Lily Vandagriff, and Jordan Bowling earned top honors in the Anderson County 4-H Public Speaking Contest and advanced to next-level competition.
High school youth competed against youth from all over East Tennessee during the Regional 4-H Public Speaking Contest.
Despite first-rate competition, county youth earned numerous honors:
10th grade – Bonnie Chandler, 2nd Overall
11th – Lily Vandagriff, 1st Prepared Speaking, 2nd Overall
12th – Jordan Bowling, 1st Extemporaneous Speaking, 2nd Overall
Younger students advanced to the Great Northwest 4-H Public Speaking Contest, competing with youth in Fentress, Cumberland, Scott, Morgan, Campbell, Roane, and Union counties. Members earned these special recognitions:
7th Grade Division – Wesley Chandler, 1st
8th Grade Division – Isabella Smith, 1st
These successes reflect lots of hard work on the part of the members, as well as tremendous support from teachers, parents and volunteers.