×

Area 4-H shines in district contests

Jack Fortna of the Fredonia Fireworks 4-H club placed first at the 4-H Western District Public Speaking Contest.

JAMESTOWN — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program sent eight youths to the Western District Public Presentation Contest at the Wesleyan Church of Hamburg on April 14.

Rachel Comstock, Jack Fortna, Katherine Fortna, Adam Lesch, Braden Lesch, Garrett Lesch, Leah Hinds-Morrison, and Isabella Reuther were the top presenters from the local contest held March 3 selected to compete at the District level.

Youth presented on a wide variety of topics in a variety of styles. Rachel Comstock received a silver award for her recitation of an excerpt from the Shakespeare classic Macbeth. Adam Lesch gave an illustrated talk about the cuts of beef that earned him a gold award. Nine-year-old Garrett Lesch made his Western District Presentation debut with an illustrated talk about the Presidents of the United States. He received a gold award as well. Braden Lesch presented a challenging gold-award winning speech about grass-fed vs. grain-fed beef. Jack Fortna received high marks — a gold award and first place at the competition — for his illustrated talk about Prepping. Katherine Fortna received a gold award for her illustrated talk on the Revolutionary War. Leah Hinds-Morrison made her first trip to the District Level and returned home with a gold award for her illustrated talk titled “Sea Blobs.” Isabella Reuther received a gold award for her Demonstration about G Diapers.

Overall Chautauqua County was well represented in the top 11 presenters. Jack Fortna placed first, Isabella Reuther 5th, Adam Lesch 8th, and Braden Lesch, 11th.Roughly 60 youth competed at the event from Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Wyoming, Allegany, Erie, Niagara, and Orleans counties.

Youth in the top six who are over the age of 13 are guaranteed a spot at the 4-H Communications Institute at Cornell University. The first day of programming will focus on workshops that will be delivered by undergraduate teaching assistants in Cornell’s Department of Communications, the Theatre Department, and professionals from Civic Ensemble. The workshop topics will be developed by the 4-H Communication planning team. After the series of workshops are held, the participants will have time to modify their existing presentations and to attend elective workshops such as resume prep or mock interviews.

Public speaking is an important skill that helps young people succeed in higher education, their chosen career path, and as members of their families and communities.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today