The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to congratulate five members of the Union County 4-H Youth Development Program on their outstanding presentations.
“Public speaking is an invaluable skill for young adults, nurturing not only confidence and poise but also critical thinking and effective communication,” said Union County Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “These talented young individuals have demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity, and confidence. We are excited to see what the future holds for these bright scholars of Union County.”
These youth, ranging from 8th-13th grade, gave presentations at the Rutgers 4-H Public Presentation Contest on June 8th. The contest took place at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.Participants had the option to choose from a demonstration, an illustrated talk, a formal speech, or a performing art Any 4-H member in grades 8-13 who earned a blue ribbon at their County 4-H Public Presentation event was invited to participate in the State 4-H Public Presentations event.
Giancarlo Vicari of Union gave an illustrated talk on The Golden Age of American Animation. Andrew Snair of Fanwood performed a demonstration detailing How to Make A Loom Hat. Maria-Claire Mendonca of Elizabeth gave a formal speech on New Jersey’s Sites and History. Taylor Hodges-Freeland of Union gave an illustrated talk on The Basics of JROTC. Gabriela Cornejo of Roselle gave an illustrated talk on The Power of Hyperfocus. Gabriela was also awarded Best in Room.
Presenters were scores using a rubric specific to their presentation type. Only scores of 90-100, deemed “Excellent,” were able to advance to the State round. The 4-H Youth Development Program helps youth develop important skills and character through hands-on learning, guided by caring adults. It offers educational programs for students in grades K-13 and focuses on fostering responsibility, community awareness, and strong community partnerships. For more information about the Union County 4-H, please contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County 4-H Youth Development – James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 ext. 3 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.