Special to IFN
The talents of Iredell County 4-H youth were on full display this summer through a series of competitions that highlighted their dedication, knowledge, and public speaking skills.
The competitions began on Monday, May 5, during the annual County Activity Day. Six outstanding youth — Trinity B., Vivian H., Isolena H., Garrison H., Cooper G., and Raelynn G.—took the stage to deliver presentations on a wide range of topics.
From the artistry of floral arrangements to the science of bovine mastitis, the charm of cockatiels, the power of electricity, the life-saving skills of CPR, and the delicious process of making sourdough bread, these young people amazed the audience with their creativity and hard work. Their strong performances
earned all six youth the opportunity to advance to District Activity Day.
On June 17, Iredell County 4-H co-hosted District Activity Day alongside Catawba County 4-H at West Iredell High School. Nearly 500 attendees filled the halls, including more than 150 youth presenters from 19 counties across the district. The day was a remarkable showcase of 4-H talent, learning, and community support.
Iredell County 4-H was especially proud to cheer on Trinity, Vivian, Isolena, Garrison, Cooper, and Raelynn as they represented our county. Their hard work led to a record-setting achievement,
with more Iredell youth than ever before placing in the top three of their categories on the same day:
♦ Trinity earned Gold in Horticulture Science (ages 11–13);
♦ Cooper earned Gold in Livestock and Dairy Production (ages 11–13);
♦ Vivian earned Gold in Foods and Nutrition (ages 11–13);
♦ Isolena earned Gold in Safety (ages 8–10);
♦ Raelynn brought home a Bronze in Small and Companion Animals (ages 8–10); and
Garrison showcased his skills in the Cloverbud category, a non-competitive division that provides an early introduction to public speaking.
As a result of their outstanding performances, Trinity, Cooper, Vivian, and Isolena advanced to the
State 4-H Presentation Finals in Raleigh on July 21. At the state level, the youth once again impressed the judges with their knowledge and presentation skills.
Trinity’s floral arrangement presentation earned her a Bronze medal, while Isolena’s CPR demonstration brought home a Silver medal. Cooper delivered an informative talk on bovine mastitis, and Vivian wowed the judges with her demonstration on making sourdough bread.
What Are 4-H Presentations?
4-H Presentations are a signature program of 4-H designed to help youth develop strong public speaking and communication skills. Participants prepare a demonstration or illustrated talk on a topic of their choice, then present it to a panel of judges. Through this process, youth not only learn to research and organize information but also gain confidence in speaking before an audience. Presentations encourage young people to explore personal interests, share their knowledge with others, and practice valuable life skills that benefit them in school, their future careers, and everyday life.
These youth exemplify the heart of 4-H—learning, leading, and making a difference. Their accomplishments are a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and the support of caring adults and volunteers.
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