The Polk County 4-H Clubs held the Largest County 4-H Public Speaking contest on Friday, January 22nd. A record seventy-four 4-H members from across the county met and competed in their grade level at First Baptist Church in Benton. 4-H is proud of the accomplishments of the many 4-H members that learn the valuable life skill of communications through Public Speaking.  

Contests such as 4-H Public Speaking help members gain a skills that will remain with them throughout life. This year a record number of 4-H members entered their local club contest. The top speakers were invited to the county contest.  

Awards presented in the 4th grade division went to: first place Savannah Edwards from South Polk Elem., second place Emily Belk from Benton Elem. and Third Place Jacob Moates from Benton Elem.  Participants in the 4th grade division were Bailey Aaron, Laine Clark, Achilles Crowe, Bayleigh Davis, Allie Dill, Rose Goodman, Shyanne Gray, Megan Morgan, Kendra Swinehart, Taya Vaugh, Kaylea White, Chloe McNelly.

Awards presented in the fifth grade division were: first place Jacob Taylor from Copper Basin Elem., Kimberly Jenkins from Copper Basin Elem. and Danielle Bates from Benton Elem. Participants in the 5th grade division were Cheyenne Burchfield, Hunter Chastain, Harlie Chastain, Jade Cheatham, Paige Cronan, Katie Dillard, Logan Griswold, Kacie Hood, Hannah Jack, Brittany James, Benjamin Key, Jordan Levi, Sydney McAbee, Jessica Miner, Mandy Moses, Lydia Simpson, Peyton Sosebee, Stonewall Stinnett, Mason Tolzmann, Amanda Trentham, and Kristen Ward.

Awards presented in the sixth grade division were: first place Hannah McNelly, from the 4-H Homeschool Club, 2nd place was Hannah Smith from Chilhowee Middle School, and 3rd place was Janie Raburn from Chilhowee Middle School.  Participants in the 6th grade division were Kayla Allen, Samantha Allen, Madison Arp, James Bell, Valorie Coleman, Katie Dye, Shelby Lillard, Jessica Scholfield, and Molly Kyker.  

Awards in the seventh grade division went to: first place Dristen Raper from Copper Basin High School, second place was Rose O’Donnell from Copper Basin High School., and tied for third place was Heather McLain form Chilhowee Middle School and William Mashburn from Copper Basin High School. Participants in 7th grade were Richele Brown, Amber Dillard, Ivy Falls, Tanner Ledwell, Lindsey Loudermilk, Skylah Mealer, Tyler Miller, Albany Sellers, Miquel Valdes, Megan Weaver, and Kayla Goins.

Awards in the 8th grade division were given to: first place Nathan McNelly from the 4-H Home School Club, second place was Brittany Dowlins form Copper Basin High School, and third place was Kasey Combs from Chilhowee Middle School. Participants in the 8th grade division were Baylee Bitzel, Kari Jordan, Jessica Maxwell, and Mackenzie Swallows.

In the 9th grade division. first place was Susan Stewart from the 4-H Home School Club.

All first place recipients will represent Polk County in the Sub-regional 4-H Public Speaking Contest on February 25.

The 4-H clubs would like to say thank you to first Baptist Church staff and members for the use of their facility. Also thank you to the following people who volunteered to judge the contest. Charlotte Cabrera, Mary Thomason, Wayne Coats, Linda Rowton, Tom Tohill, Bill Risko, Gloria Risko, Vivian Talmadge, and Lew Talmadge.  Pictured are the speakers by grade at the contest.