4-H Public Speaking and Communications

Welcome to 4-H Public Speaking and Communications!

4-H offers opportunities for youth to grow their skills in public speaking and presenting. 4-H members can participate in county or regional contests by entering communication exhibits. Upon successful completion of a 4-H’ers county or regional day, a 4-H’er may continue onto 4-H State Day, a capstone experience for youth seeking to grow their communication skills. At these contests, members further their self-confidence by sharing their and benefit from evaluators' feedback on their exhibits and presentations. State Day is also a competition where presentations are selected to represent Vermont in the New England Center at the Eastern States Exposition in September. Below is an overview of the event and exhibit categories, including evaluation rubrics. Please note that any exhibit submitted must have been created or developed in the 12 months preceding the event.

State Day 2025

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Categories

Action Exhibits
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There is no cap on the number of action exhibits per county that may participate at State Day. In order to be considered for Eastern States, the action exhibit at State Day must have 4 youth participating, and ensure that 4 youth will attend ESE. Action exhibits with less than 4 youth may participate at State Day but will not be eligible for ESE. Up to 8 action exhibits may be sent to ESE. Related criteria/form(s):

Communications
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There is no cap on the number of exhibits per county that may participate at State Day. Sign up for time slots in these categories occur on the day of the event, at the registration table first come, first served. This assists in allowing members to participate in more than one State Day opportunity so times do not conflict. The top 6 illustrated talks and team demonstrations will be sent to ESE. Related criteria/form(s):

Photography
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There is no cap on the number of photos per county that may be entered into State Day. However, only one photo per category (photo based design and basic photo) per member may be submitted. Photos should not be submitted in frames, but mattes are accepted and encouraged. Any photo submitted to State Day must have been created in the 12 months preceding the 4-H event. 4-6 photos from each category will be selected to be displayed at ESE throughout the entire fair based on a People's Choice vote. Related criteria/form(s):

Posters
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Each county may send up to 10 posters to State Day. Posters are not re-evaluated at State Day. However, a People's Choice award will be given for the top 3 posters that will represent Vermont at ESE. Related criteria/form(s):

Sewing
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Clothing presentations are not re-evaluated at State Day but participants will participate through a fashion review that typically kicks off the stage presentations. All Fashion Revue participants that are selected also automatically attend ESE. 4-H members can participate in the fashion revue at State Day if they designed a garment for another person (which can be either a 4-H'er or non 4-H'er) and wish to walk as a team (designer and model). However, the team is not eligible for participating at ESE. Related criteria/form(s):

Smart Shopper
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Smart Shopper presentations are not re-evaluated at State Day. Participants can walk with their outfit during the stage presentations alongside the Fashion Revue. Smart Shopper participants are automatically selected to attend ESE.

Stage Presentations
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There is no cap on the number of stage presentations that a county can send to State Day. A presentation may be comprised of an individual or group, and must be at least 3 minutes and under 10 minutes long. At State Day, the top 20 presentations are selected for ESE, and then the remainder are told via mail where they rank in line to attend ESE. Stage presentations that receive white ribbons will not be selected for ESE. Related criteria/form(s):

Table Tops
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There is no cap on the number of table top presentations that a county can send to State Day. The top 3 table tops will be selected to attend ESE and will be modified to include a brief presentation. Related criteria/form(s):

Technology Exhibits
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There is no cap on the number of technology exhibits that can be sent to State Day and these exhibits do not move on to ESE. Promotional videos will be displayed by projecting on a screen for the audience. Maker/Tinker can also be shown this way if captured over video or can be demonstrated either on stage or by being displayed on a table. Related criteria/form(s):

Eastern States Expo: The Big E
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The performance dates for the New England Center at Eastern States are Sunday, Sept. 17 and Monday, Sept. 18. For those exhibits/presentations chosen to represent VT at the Big E, a mandatory orientation/info session is required. This is typically held in July to get you ready, help with required paperwork, and give you a better picture of what is expected of you when bringing a group to ESE. It is very important that you, or a co-leader with whom you regularly communicate, attend this session. VT fills the New England Center on the first Sunday and Monday of the Fair, and is expected to arrive by the evening of the first Saturday, for an onsite orientation.

Because of the large scale of this event and often, multiple members making up one presentation or exhibit, most communication is directed at the 4-H Leader identified as the point of contact. We are doing our best to ensure that all parents and co-leaders have the information, but there may be times where this is not possible. Please be sure to check our website thoroughly, communicate with your club leaders, and feel free to call the State 4-H Office for questions at 1-800-571-0668.

Other information about Eastern States can be found at their website (click on agriculture and then 4-H). (The Big E also offers a biennial scholarship (in odd years) opportunity to one Vermont 4-H youth who has participated at Eastern States each year. See the 2013 application and eligibility criteria (PDF).)