UF/IFAS Okeechobee County Extension Service

458 Highway 98 North

Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578

Phone: (863) 763-6469

E- mail:  indianco@ufl.edu

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May 20, 2011

 

Students compete in Tropicana Public Speaking contest

Photos and story by Charles M. Murphy

Okeechobee News Twenty-seven of the best public speakers in Okeechobee County Schools competed Monday in the annual 4-H/Tropicana Public Speaking Competition at South Elementary School.

Topics this year ranged from the exploration of space, to the quirks of relatives. Serious topics addressed by the 4th, 5th and 6th graders also included trips to Vietnam, robotic surgery, the Mexican culture, and the dangers of smoking.

Courtney Davis served as the mistress of the near two hour competition. She is the Dairy Agent for the Okeechobee County Cooperative Extension. She applauded all of the speakers for their efforts. “I feel everybody is a winner here today. The number one fear of adults is public speaking. I think it was an amazing feat for these students to overcome this fear today,” she told the crowd of about 200 people.

She relaxed all of the competitors as they took the podium and urged them to concentrate and do their best.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to build on their public speaking skills,” she added.

Amber Marguette of South Elementary School won the fourth grade competition with her speech on camping in Punta Gorda. Simran Merchant of Central finished in second place with a speech about robotic surgery, Ayan Desai of South finished third with a speech on Trees and Sarah Roehm of North Elementary finished in fourth place with a speech about the five senses.

The fifth grade competition was won by Emma VanCamp of North Elementary who spoke on the value of education. Artha Jonassaint of North Elementary finished in second place with a speech entitled “Don’t you Love your children?” It focused on the dangers smoking has for pregnant women. Shelby Kirton of the Osceola fifth grade center spoke about the benefits of eating beef. Joanna Rhymes of Everglades Elementary earned honorable mention with her speech about her mom.

The sixth grade competition was won by Zachary Kielbasa of Yearling Middle School who spoke on the fears of public speaking and how to give a good speech. Marshall Rucks of Osceola Middle School finished second as he spoke about the value of keeping cattle cool. Courtney McCreary spoke on various horse breeds in her third place speech. Hunter Sills earned honorable mention with a speech about platypus. He attends Osceola Middle School.

The annual event was sponsored by Tropicana Products, Incorporated and the Okeechobee County Cooperative Extension Service and is coordinated by Extension Agent Debbie Clements.