At N.C. Cooperative Extension, 4-H Youth Development strives to equip young people with the knowledge and skills they need to become successful adults. Effective communication and public speaking skills are vital for youth as they develop into tomorrow’s leaders.

Currituck County had twenty five 4-H'ers present in the Northeast District Public Speaking Competition which had a total of 159 presenters from 22 counties, and nineteen qualified for the State Presentations Finals held July 23, 2024, in Raleigh NC

The State 4-H Public Speaking Competition had 370 participants from across the State delivering presentations in 36 categories and three age groups. All of the Currituck 4-Her’s demonstrated excellent public speaking skills. The following youth earned medals for their presentations:

14-18 year olds

Cayden Lowe, Gold Medal, Agricultural Safety & HealthEmerson Page, Gold Medal, Horse Public Speaking

11-13 year olds

Braiden Carothers, Silver Medal, Safety

Sophia Haislop, Gold Medal, Egg Cookery

Adelaide Martin, Silver Medal, Egg Cookery

Karleigh Meads, Gold Medal Poultry Production

Cole Waltman, Gold Medal, Peanut Foods

8-10 year olds

Alex Moseley, Gold Medal, Foods and Nutrition

Anna Moseley, Gold Medal, Peanut Foods

Easton Page, Gold Medal, Forestry and Wildlife

Dylan Waltman, Gold Medal, Dairy Foods

Savannah Waltman, Gold Medal, Horticulture

As the Gold medalist in the senior (14-18) Horse Public Speaking category Emerson Page earned the opportunity to represent North Carolina 4-H in three National public speaking/presentation competitions:

• Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships (August) in Perry, Georgia;
• All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio (October);
• Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup in Louisville, Kentucky (November).

Congratulations to all of these outstanding Currituck County 4-H'ers and thanks to all the parents, volunteers, and staff, who helped these young people succeed and achieve. This annual public speaking contest is open to all Currituck County youth. For information on this or any other 4-H program, contact the 4-H & Youth Development Agent, Sherry Fischlschweiger at 252-232-2262.