Beaver River 4-H members conduct speech presentations

Melody Brundige, right, along with her partner Arielle Thiessen, not pictured, got 1st in the intermediate category for their presentation Better Butter.

Learning the do’s and don’ts of a steer project, breaking down the bosal, and making better butter were such a few of the several topics explored by youth speakers on Saturday. 

The Beaver River 4-H Beef Club held their speech presentations and did what many consider the most fearful thing to do – get in front of your peers and be judged on your public speaking. 

It’s a time honoured aspect of 4-H where cleavers to seniors get up to talk about a topic they find interesting. 

“I’ve been watching these kids since they were just cleavers, and they’ve come a very, very, very long way,” said Hailey Lobe, who runs the Bonnyville district of 4-H. 

“The skills that you learn in public speaking take you so far. I use it in my everyday life at work and also for college.” 

There were a total of 26 presentations at Willow Prairie Hall in La Corey on Saturday, with presentations, speeches, and impromptu, where seniors get up with a minute’s notice to answer a specific question. 

Lillianna Brundige earned first in the impromptu category, while also acting as the mistress of ceremonies for the day. 

“The prepared speech, that’s pretty easy, because we get to do that beforehand. But the impromptu is a little stressful, because you only have a minute to prepare. And then you have to get through two minutes of talking,” Brundige said, who’s been in 4-H for coming close to a decade. 

1st place finishers