Will County 4-H Public Presentation Contest
Entry Form – 2009
Place: University of Illinois Extension Office, 100 Manhattan Rd., Joliet, IL
Time: 9:00-12:00
Date: February 28, 2009
NAME:______________________________________________________
Birthdate(s):_________________________________________________
Club:_______________________________________________________
Title of Presentation: __________________________________________
Circle One:
Formal Speech - Formal Speeches (without props or aids) must be between 4-6 minutes in
length and done by an individual member. Formal speeches provide information to the
audience.
llustrated Speech – Speech must be product of the member. Visuals such as charts, pictures,
models, slides, posters and so on may be used to achieve more vivid impression. Use notes or
memory. Individual only. Must be between 4 – 6 minutes in length.
Original Work – Member may present any type of original works (i.e. comedy, storytelling,
original poetry, radio segment, etc.) May be done by an individual or a team of no more than
three members. Works must have been written by one of the team members. Segment must be
between 4-6 minutes in length. Original works presentations are designed to entertain an
audience.
Demonstration - Demonstrations may pertain to any topic (Exception: Foods-Nutrition entries
must enter through the appropriate foods class.) Demonstrations may be given by an individual
or a team of two members. Exhibitors are responsible for furnishing all equipment and supplies
needed. Demonstrations must be 8-10 minutes in length.
Oral Interpretation – May be humorous or dramatic interpretation, oratorical declamation,
prose reading or verse reading. Material may be read or memorized. May be done by an
individual or a team of no more than three members. Interpretation must be between 4-6
minutes in length.
Extempore Speaking – An event in which an individual is given 45 minutes to prepare an
original speech indicating his/her knowledge of current events concerning as assigned topic.
Exhibitors will draw three topic options for their speech from a large number of topics. They will
immediately select one of these three topics for their speech. Participants will have 45 minutes
to prepare a 4-6 minute speech. Participants are responsible for providing their own research
materials for this class. Laptops may be used, however accessibility to Internet will not be
provided. Individual only.
Speaking of Horticulture – A speech 7-10 minutes duration on a Horticulture topic. Choose
Illustrated Speech with Visuals, or non-Illustrated. State and National Contests available for
those who qualify. These are not eligible for State Fair. Must be enrolled in a Horticulture
project.
Demonstration of Horticulture – A Demonstration not more than 15 minutes duration on a
Horticulture topic listed below. State and National Contests available for those who qualify.
These are not eligible for State Fair. Must be enrolled in a Horticulture project.
Production: Any practice that has to do with production of any horticultural crop or maintaining,
replenishing, or increasing the soil productivity. Marketing: Operations in preparing horticultural
crops for market, offering for sale to a buyer, preparing for storage, or preparing for exhibition.
Use: Preparing fruits or vegetables for human consumption (cooking, canning, freezing, or
dehydration) or preparation of other plant products in and around the home (excluding all types
of floral arrangements). Crafts made from horticultural products may be entered here. The state
leader of participants needing an oven for baked goods is responsible for making these
arrangements. Artistic Arrangement: The use of cut flowers and other horticultural products in
arrangements, corsages, and plaques. Materials may be live or dried. Weeds and native
materials may also be used. Artificial plants, flowers, and silks are not allowed. Landscaping:
Any practice that has to do with arrangement, establishment, and maintenance of flowers,
ornamental plants, and turf around or within the home, business or public grounds.
(Demonstrations on growing landscape materials should be entered in the production division.)
Speaking of Horses – Any speech devoted to horse-related material. State and National
Contests are available for those who qualify. Visual aids of any kind will not be allowed
(posters, items, equipment, etc.). May use notes. However, excessive use of notes may be
counted against the contestant. This will be at the discretion of the judges. Contestants should
cite their major references after the conclusion of their speech. This will not be counted in the
allotted time. Time: Junior division speeches should be at least 5 minutes or no more than 10
minutes in length. Senior division speeches should be at least 7 minutes or no more than 10
minutes in length. These are not eligible for State Fair.
Individual and Team Horse Presentations – Any presentation devoted to horse-related
material. State and National Contests are available for those who qualify. All presentation
subjects must pertain to the horse industry, or be horse related, and be original and factual. No
live animals; however, model animals may be used. The presentation may be a demonstration
or illustrated talk. Visual aids may include but are not limited to: handouts, posters, props,
videos, slides, and computer generated media (PowerPoint, websites, etc.) Contestants may
use notes. However, excessive use of notes may be counted against the contestant. This will be
at the discretion of the judges. Contestants should cite their major references after the
conclusion of their presentation. This will not be counted in the allotted time. If a contestant is
using power point, they must bring their own equipment. These are not eligible for State Fair.
Time: Individual Presentations should be: 9-12 minutes in length, Team Presentations should be
10-15 minutes in length.
Food Demonstration Contest – Food demonstrations should be 8-10 minutes in length.
Demonstrations may be done by an individual or team of two members. Exhibitors are
responsible for furnishing all equipment and supplies. No parents or supervising adults will be
permitted in the actual demonstration space. Each exhibitor is responsible for setting up his/her
own demonstration area. The food demonstration must relate to the project area in which the
member(s) is/are enrolled.
Return by Friday, February 13, 2009 to: University of Illinois Extension, Will County Unit,
100 Manhattan Rd., Joliet, IL 60433