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4-H Youth Compete at the 4-H Public Speaking Contest

September 26, 2009

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1st place PSA Junior Division

	Nearly 100 Missouri 4-H members participated in the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest at the University of Missouri, Sept. 26. The young people competed in five categories: prepared, extemporaneous, technology-assisted, public service announcement and interpretations, which includes dramatic, humorous and pantomime. Sixteen-year-old 4-H member Diamond Hubley of Kansas City took advantage of the newer interpretation category and gave a poignant performance of Emmett Till’s mother’s reaction to hearing about her son’s tragic death. “I was moved to tears,” said one audience member. Audience members weren’t the only ones with tears in their eyes. The performer appeared visibly shaken and had tears streaming down her cheeks. “I feel like I’m really this character,” Hubley said. “I can feel the pain that she had to endure with the death of her son.” Hubley said she first prepared for this piece two years ago at the urging of her forensics coach, Arthur C. Barry. “I watched the documentary and I did the best that I could,” she said. Hubley, who won the dramatic interpretation event, said that while practicing and performing her presentation for school contests and 4-H events, she has learned more than just public speaking skills. “I learned that we should always appreciate life. Every day we should live life like it’s our last day.” “The enthusiasm youth take back from an experience like this is contagious,” said Bradd Anderson, MU Extension 4-H state youth specialist and contest coordinator. “I expect we’ll continue to see more youth engaging in 4-H communication opportunities, like public speaking and dramatic interpretation.”

Last Updated 8-Oct-09

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