Last weekend I had the chance to judge a 4-H public speaking competition, and let me tell you… it took me right back to my teenage years.
I used to compete in public speaking when I was younger, so sitting there on the other side of the judging table was a bit surreal. Watching these kids step up to the front of the room reminded me just how nerve-wracking it can be.
And honestly? I still get nervous every time I have to speak in front of a crowd. So I kept thinking… what must be going through the minds of these kids?
What made it even more impressive was the range of ages. We had competitors as young as six years old, all the way up to 18. Some were clearly a little nervous, some were cool as can be, and some were just absolutely owning the stage.
One of my favourite moments came from a girl in the intermediate category. Her entire speech was basically about how much she hates giving speeches.
I mean… you’ve got to respect that level of honesty. And the irony of delivering that speech so well was not lost on anyone in the room.
Then there was a younger boy who had his speech almost completely memorized and performed it with so much energy you couldn’t help but smile. He was animated, funny, and clearly having a blast up there.
Moments like that remind you why these competitions are so great.
So a huge thank you to the Good Spirit 4-H Club for inviting me to be a judge. It was such a fun afternoon, and it was incredibly impressive to see so many young people willing to get up in front of a crowd and share their ideas.
Good luck to everyone moving on to Regionals — I have a feeling you’re going to do amazing.
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