State Program Contact

Catherine (Cathy) Johnston
Extension Educator
cjohnston1@unl.edu
402-472-1762
4-H Youth Development, 114 AGH,
Lincoln, NE 68583-0700

Regional Public Speaking Contest

Locations | Contest Entry Information | Rules and Guidelines | Recognition and Awards

After participating at the county level, up to three (3) contestants in each age division (Junior, Intermediate, and Senior) in both Speech and Public Service Announcement (PSA) categories will be selected to advance to the Regional Public Speaking Contest. 

Senior division contestants at the Regional Public Speaking Contest have the opportunity to advance to the State Public Speaking Contest, which is held during the Nebraska State Fair.

Locations

Panhandle District

Date: April 27, 2013
Register by: April 12, 2013
Time: 9:00 a.m. - noon MDT
Location: ESU 13 learning labs with sites at Bridgeport, Chadron, and Sidney

- Bridgeport High School, 800 Q Street
- Chadron High School, 901 Cedar Street
- Sidney, ESU #13, 1114 Toledo Street

Contact: Annette Haas; 308-632-1480

West Central District

Date: April 27, 2013
Register by: April 12, 2013
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST
Location: Mid Plains Community College South Campus, North Platte
Contact: Heather Borck; 308-696-6784

Southeast District

Date: May 23, 2013
Register by: May 9, 2013
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. CST
Location: Animal Science Building, Lincoln
Contact: Bob Meduna; 402-624-8064

Northeast District

Date: May 23, 2013
Register by: May 9, 2013
Time: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. CT
Location: Northeast Community College Lifelong Learning Center, Norfolk, NE
Contact: Lisa Kaslon; 402-563-8001

Contest Entry Information

  • County Quota
    • Each county may send up to three (3) contestants per age division (Junior, Intermediate and Senior) in both Speech and Public Service Announcements (PSA) categories to the regional contest.
    • All contestants in the 60 second PSA category must compete in their designated regional contest. Those competing in the Speech category may compete in only one (1) regional contest of their choice.
  • Registration
    • The Entry Form and three (3) copies of the Speech Outline or PSA Outline must be submitted for each speech or PSA entered when registering for the regional or state contest. 
      • Entry Form               
      • Speech Outline                     
      • PSA Outline                 
    • Registration is $5.00 for each Speech or PSA entered.  Make checks payable to University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension 4-H.
    • Registration for regional competition must be submitted by a UNL Extension 4-H staff member. 
  • Procedural Guidelines
    • Contestants must qualify at their county contest to compete in regional competition.
    • Youth selected to advance to regional competition in the speech category may participate in one Regional 4-H Public Speaking Contests of their choice. Regional contests are held in North Platte, Norfolk, Lincoln and the Panhandle via distance education.
    • Registrations are due to the Regional Contest coordinator two (2) weeks prior to the contest.
      • Registration must be submitted electronically to the appropriate Regional Contest coordinator by the county extension staff, followed by hard copies of entries & outlines.
      • Counties must provide three (3) copies of speech/PSA outlines along with the 4-H member’s registration form.
      • Radio PSA’s will be submitted on CD along with the PSA text and registration form two (2) weeks prior to the Regional Contest. Electronic PSA submission should be approved by the Regional Contest coordinator.
        • Please use .wav or .mp3 audio formats when recording your PSA
    • All PSA contestants must compete in the Region/District where the 4-H member is enrolled. The time limit for all PSA’s is 60 seconds.
    • Only Senior Division Speech and PSA Regional winners will advance to state competition.

Rules and Guidelines

Recognition and Awards

  • Regional PSA Awards: Junior & Intermediate Divisions:
    • Each participant will receive a ribbon and a certificate. Top individuals in each division will receive a medal.
  • Regional/State Speech and PSA Awards: Senior Division:
    • Each regional participant will receive a ribbon and certificate.
    • Top regional individuals will receive a medal and an opportunity to compete in the State contest.