University of Vermont Extension

4-H State Communications Day

Welcome to Vermont 4-H State Communications Day!

4-H offers opportunities for youth to develop skills in public speaking, performance and exhibiting. 4-H members participate in regional contests by entering communication exhibits. Upon successful completion at a regional day, the youth member may continue onto 4-H State Communications Day, a capstone experience for youth seeking to enhance their communication skills. At these contests, members further their self-confidence by utilizing evaluators' feedback and modifying their exhibits and presentations. State Communications 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. All entries must have been created or developed within 12 months preceding the event.

State Communications Day 2026

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Categories

Action Exhibits
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In order to be considered for Easter States (The Big E), the action exhibit at State Communications Day must have 2-4 youth participating. Related Criteria/form(s):

Fashion Revue: Clothing Sewn and Smart Shopper
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Fashion Revue includes both Clothing Sewn and Smart Shopper. Clothing Sewn and Smart Shopper participants’ entries are not re-evaluated at State Communications Day. Participants in both categories will partake in an on-stage fashion show. Participants will showcase their outfits while walking to music and have a narrative read, submitted in advance. Clothing sewn must by made by the 4-H youth member, yet can be made for and modeled by another person. Smart Shopper participants must spend $25 or less on the total outfit. Participants in both categories automatically advance to Eastern States (The Big E). 

Clothing Sewn

Fashion must be sewn by the youth member. Clothing presentations are not re-evaluated at State Communications Day but participants will participate through a fashion revue that typically kicks off the stage presentations. All Fashion Revue participants are selected automatically to attend Eastern States (the Big E). 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 Eastern States. You will be expected to be on stage and need to complete a narration. Related criteria/form(s):

Smart Shopper

Smart Shopper presentations are not re-evaluated at State Communications Day. Participants will be expected to walk in a fashion revue with clothing fashion sewn. Participants need to complete a narration to be read while on stage. Smart Shopper participants are automatically selected to attend Eastern States (the Big E).

Photography
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Only one photo per category (photo-based design and photography) per participant may be submitted, a total of TWO, to the State Communications Day. Photos must have be awarded blue ribbons at the regional level. Photos should not be submitted in frames, but matting is accepted and encouraged. Per Eastern States regulations, photos must be 8" x 10" and if matted, no bigger than 11" x 14". Any photo submitted to Sate Communications Day must have been created in the past 12 months. Photos are not re-evaluated at State Communications Day. A total of TWELVE photos will be selected to advance to Eastern States (The Big E) via a “People’s Choice” vote held at State Communications Day. Related criteria/form(s):

Posters
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Each region may send TEN posters to State Communications Day. Posters are not re-evaluated at State Communications Day. Per Eastern States regulations, posters must be sized between 12" x 18" and 14" x 22". A total of EIGHT posters will be selected to advance to Eastern States (The Big E) via a “People’s Choice” vote held at State Communications Day. Related criteria/form(s):

Presentations are conducted simultaneously as stage/performance arts. Anticipate some scheduling adjustments and accommodations will be needed. At Eastern States (The Big E), presentations will be from the New England Center’s Stage. 

Presentations
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Presentations are conducted simultaneously as stage / performance arts. Some adjustments and accommodations will be needed. At Eastern States (the Big E), presentations will be from the New England Center's stage. Related criteria/form(s):

Stage/Performing Arts
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Stage/Performances are conducted simultaneously as Communication/Presentations. Anticipate some scheduling adjustments and accommodations will be needed. At Eastern States (The Big E), stage/performances will be from the New England Center’s Stage. Stage/Performances that receive white ribbons will not be selected for Eastern States (The Big E). There is a maximum of THREE entries total in this category per participant; however, Poetry Slam doesn’t count against this quota. Related criteria/form(s):

Table Tops
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The top 5-8 tabletops will be selected to advance to Eastern States (The Big E) and must be modified to include a presentation from “the pods” or from the New England Center’s stage. Related criteria/form(s):

Technology Exhibits
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Videos will be displayed via a laptop and judges at State Communications Day. Videos can advance to Eastern States (The Big E), yet the youth member does not accompany the video to the Big E.