Public speaking is one of life’s most useful skills. Learning to be comfortable speaking in front of others helps you build confidence to express yourself in various life situations from interviewing for jobs to applying for college to interacting with adults.

Giving a speech or demonstration helps you develop:

• The ability to express yourself clearly and convincingly;
• Skills in organizing ideas and presenting them in a logical order;
• Skills for researching factual information to support your ideas; and
• Poise and confidence in your ability to present your ideas.

 Portage County Public Speaking Contest

Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Portage County Fairgrounds,  Fair Office

Contests begin at 4:00pm

To help us plan, please RSVP here by July 9th using the link here 

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• Who can participate? All 4-H members are welcome!

• Cloverbuds: You're invited too! Share the 4-H pledge and join in the fun!

• Public Speaking Contest
  • Junior Individual (age 8-10)

• • Junior Team (age 8-10)

• • Intermediate Individual (age 11-13)

• • Intermediate Team (age 11-13)

• • Senior Individual (age 14 and up)

• • Senior Team (age 14 and up)

• Mock Interview Contest
  • Junior age 8-11

• • Intermediate age 12-14

• • Senior age 15 and older

• FIVE per category can move on to the State Competition during the Ohio State Fair and represent Portage County!
  • Public Speaking participates on Communications Day - Sunday, July 27, 2025

• • Mock Interview participates on Workforce Preparation Day - Wednesday, July 30, 2025

 

PORTAGE COUNTY follows the GENERAL RULES described in the Ohio State Fair Communications Day guidelines posted at https://ohio4h.org/nonlivestockguidebook

• State guidelines apply for both public speaking and mock interviews. You can find the guidelines here:
  • Public Speaking Guidelines https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/Families/state_fair/Communications%20Day%20Guidelines%202025_0.pdf

• • Mock Interview Guidelines https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/WORKFORCE%20PREPARATION%20DAY%20Guidelines%202025_2.pdf

Marketing Division

Entries for the Ohio State Fair Marketing Division Contest will also be collected at the Portage County Public Speaking and Mock Interview Contest. Cards can be turned in at the contest or to the 4-H Office by July 12^th, 2025.

·        Junior Individual (age 8-10) – Thank You Card without use of computer graphics or scrapbooking tools.  

·        Junior Individual (age 8-10) – Thank You Card with the use of computer graphics or scrapbooking tools.

·        Intermediate Individual (age 11 - 13) – 4-H Winter Holiday Card – without the use of computer graphics or scrapbooking tools.

·        Intermediate Individual (age 11 - 13) – 4-H Winter Holiday Card – with the use of computer graphics or scrapbooking tools.

·        Senior Individual (age 14 and up) – 4-H Infomercial Promoting 4-H

Information about the marketing division can be found at https://ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/Families/state_fair/Communications%20Day%20Guidelines%202025_0.pdf