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Local elementary school students recently competed in a 4-H public speaking competition at Rock Eagle 4-H Center, with several youths bringing home first and second place medals. All nine students placed and received awards in their respective categories. 

It was a remarkably successful return to Cloverleaf Project Achievement for Troup County 4-H. “This is the first time since COVID that we participated in this rewarding competition, and we could not be more pleased for the kids. They worked so hard, and their dedication truly paid off,” said Troup County 4-H Agent, Laura Mirarchi. 

West Point Elementary, Long Cane Elementary, and Hollis Hand Elementary were all represented at the competition. Home schoolers also participated. 

The competition, formally known as Georgia 4-H Cloverleaf Project Achievement, requires 4-H’ers to choose a project area of interest, research a topic, then write and present an oral presentation to others. The students worked in their classrooms and at home on their projects. At the district competition, participants are ranked on their research skills, presentation capabilities, coverage of subject, and other criteria as they compete against other 4-H’ers from across the region. The event is timed, with a maximum time allotment of six minutes. 

The following Troup County 4-H’ers were presented:

• Taylor-Simone Mangum/ HHE 5th grade: Electricity
• Naim Banuelos-Hernandez/HHE 5th grade: Green Sea Turtles
• Aubrey Hale/LCES 4th grade: Atlanta Braves
• Ranse Lawler/LCES 4th grade: The Vietnam War
• Jase May/LCES 5th grade: D-Day
• Nashira Bell/WPE 4th grade: The History of Ice Cream
• Tatum Nave/4th grade: Bicycles
• Aedyn Key/HHE 4th grade: States of matter
• Alex Hill/HHE 5th grade: Preparing for Natural Disasters 

Hale, Lawler, May, and Nave all took home first place medals. Belland Key took home second place in their categories. Some categories had over fourteen participants competing against one another.

The program is designed to encourage youths to develop self-confidence, engage in hands-on learning, and share knowledge with others. Savannah Masters, Troup County 4-H Program Assistant, took the lead in mentoring youth for the competition. She said, “The annual Project Achievement Contest is my favorite program offered by Georgia 4-H. Through their participation, children develop the knowledge and confidence necessary to become fantastic public speakers. Their early exposure to public speaking helps them to avoid the phobia so many adults develop to this vital life skill.”  

Seventh and eighth graders will also participate in their version of the competition, which includes a fun-filled weekend at Rock Eagle.