Speech & Public Service Announcements (PSA's)

Effective communication is a valuable life skill you'll use your entire life.

The Speech and Public Service Announcement (PSA) contests provide 4-H’ers the opportunity to learn to express themselves clearly, organize their ideas and have confidence. Contests are open to all 4-H’ers ages 8-18 (by January 1 of the current year) -- need not be enrolled in a specific project. Youth may choose to participate in either or both the Speech and PSA contests. If questions, contact Cole Meador at cmeador2@unl.edu or 402-441-7180

• 2012 Speech and PSA Flyer & Information.

SPEECH CONTEST: The 2012 4-H Speech Contest will be held Sunday, April 22, 1 p.m. at the Lancaster Extension Education Center, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln. Register by April 13 by calling 402-441-7180 or emailing cmeador2@unl.edu with your name, speech title, and your age division.

Contest divisions and requirements:

• 5-7 years old, read or recite any short story, nursery rhyme, poem, pledge, etc.
• 8-9 years old, 2 minutes in length, any topic related to 4-H.
• 10-11 years old, 2-3 minutes in length, any topic about a 4-H experience.
• 12-13 years old, 3-5 minutes in length, encouraged to talk about a 4-H project you would like others to enroll in.
• 14-19, 5-8 minutes in length, a timely topic related to 4-H.
  

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT CONTEST GUIDELINES: In the Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest, 4-H’ers submit a 60 second “radio commercial” promoting 4-H. The PSA contest will be held via audio only (not in person). Submit a PSA via CD playable on any standard stereo equipment to extension by Friday, April 13. If you do not have the capabilities to record a PSA, contact Cole to set up a recording time. Results and comment sheets will be handed out at the 4-H Speech Contest on April 22.

State 4-H asks for PSA’s to be non-county specific so winning PSA’s can be aired on radios statewide (for example, say “call your local extension office”).

• All PSA’s must use the state theme as the basis for their PSA. The 2012 PSA theme is “Join the Revolution of Responsibility” (based on the National 4-H theme -- see http://www.4-h.org/about/revolution)
• All 4-H PSA’s must include the following tag line within the last ten seconds of the PSA: “Learn more about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension 4-H Youth Development Program at 4h.unl.edu and ‘Know How. Know Now.’” The tag line is included in the 60 second time limit.

As always, background noises and sound effects are encouraged.

Helpful Resources:

• Guide to Making Great Speeches
• Nebraska State 4-H Public Speaking

Listen to Examples:

Watch Lancaster County 4-H Speech Examples on YouTube:

• 4-H Speech: Intermediate Division (12-13 years old) - Example 1
• 4-H Speech: Intermediate Division (12-13 years old) - Example 2
• 4-H Speech: Senior Division (14-19 years old) - Example 1
• 4-H Speech: Senior Division (14-19 years old) - Example 1

Listen to Lancaster County 4-H PSA Examples:

• 4-H PSA: Novice Division (8-9 years old) - Example 1, Elizabeth Garza
• 4-H PSA: Novice Division (8-9 years old) - Example 2, Glenn Catt
• 4-H PSA: Junior Division (10-11 years old) - Example 1, Emma Lanik
• 4-H PSA: Junior Division (10-11 years old) - Example 2, McKenzie Kapperman
• 4-H PSA: Intermediate Division (12-13 years old) - Example 1, Victoria Garza
• 4-H PSA: Intermediate Division (12-13 years old) - Example 2, Paige Roach
• 4-H PSA: Senior Division (14-19 years old) - Example 1, Elli Dearmont
• 4-H PSA: Senior Division (14-19 years old) - Example 2, Erica Peterson