Monroe County 4-H youth participated in Monroe County’s 2021 4-H Public Presentations event. The continuing health guidelines encouraged an event that would provide a safe and welcoming environment for the youth to put their skills on display. This year that included an outdoor, in-person venue and a virtual option.
It is a 4-H tradition to be sure that 4-H members have the opportunity to participate in the Public Presentations program, where they design a presentation based on a topic of their choice and share it with an audience of both peers and supportive adults. 4-H alumni share that this program is the most important project of their 4-H career.
Volunteer evaluators observed the presentations and asked questions. After each presentation they offered detailed feedback during conferences with each participant. Teen Evaluator, Bea Freeman, was able to develop leadership skills by serving with an adult evaluator. Volunteer evaluators make it possible for 4-H youth to develop their public presentation skills.
The youth participants utilized several different presentation methods, including Illustrated Talks using PowerPoint slides or tri-fold posters and demonstrations. One presenter, Avery Pude, displayed a trifold poster that she created which was used to help tell people about her 4-H chicken project. Avery shared, “I chose to present about chickens because I have loved them since I was three-years-old.”
Many adults support the event each year by helping preparing the rooms for the event, cheering on all of the youth presenters, and cleaning up after the event. At Mary Cariola Center, the supportive network for the Busy Bees 4-H Club includes their 4-H Leader, Kathy Lee, as well as Speech Pathologist, Tricia Coleman.
The Public Presentations Program continues to be a fruitful experience for all of those involved. Selected youth will have the chance to make adjustments to their presentations and give them again at the Finger Lakes District Public Presentation event in June with youth from the nine county Finger Lakes 4-H District.
The Monroe County 4-H Program is offered through Cornell Cooperative Extension to the youth of Monroe County, ages 5 to 19, who want to have fun, learn new skills, and explore the world. To learn more about Public Presentations and other 4-H programs, visit http://bit.ly/4hyouthdevelopment.
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