4-Hers give presentations on many topics
Photos courtesy of Orleans County 4-H Program: 10-year old Lauren Zwifka of Albion and 11-year old Amelia Barton of Middleport had help from Noah and Mocha, two mini-horses, for their 4-H Public Presentation on “Grooming a Mini Horse.”
Press Release, Orleans County 4-H Program
KNOWLESVILLE – Nearly 50 Orleans County 4-H members took part in Public Presentations held Feb. 1, 8 and 15 at the Education Center on the 4-H Fairgrounds. The annual event helps youth practice skills needed to present before an audience.
Sophie Kroening, 9, of Knowlesville holds her Yorkipoo “Grizzley” as she completes her Public Presentation on the topic of Yorkipoo dogs.
“Communicating an idea to others clearly is a valuable skill that youth can use now, in college and in their future careers,” said Kristina Gabalski, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Program Coordinator. “Youth learn about the research process and steps needed to organize information into an engaging presentation.”
Youth did presentations either about their current 4-H project area or on any topic of interest to them, Gabalski said.
“This year’s presentations featured topics including ‘How to Groom a Mini-Horse,’ ‘How Bubblegum is Made,’ ‘Cake Decorating,’ ‘Japanese Book Binding,’ and ‘Parasites of Horses,’” she said.
Sophie Kroening, 9, of Knowlesville said she enjoys learning new things as she prepares for Public Presentations.
“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. Sophie presented this year on Yorkipoo dogs because she has a new Yorkipoo puppy at home whose name is “Grizzley.” Grizzley joined Sophie for her presentation on Feb. 1.
“This is not a competition,” Gabalski explained. “Youth work to improve their skills from year to year and receive constructive feedback from teams of volunteer evaluators.”
There are advancement opportunities, she added.
“Youth who demonstrate a readiness for a more challenging event are given the opportunity to participate in the district-wide event in Erie County at the end of March,” she said. “Participants can also give their presentation again in the Trolley Building during the Orleans County 4-H Fair in July and in the 4-H Youth Building at the New York State Fair. Youth who present on horse-related topics can move on to the Regional Horse Communications event in April and may also advance to state and national levels.”
Jackson McGrath, 9, of Medina prepares to start his presentation on “Riding a Dirt Bike in Three Easy Steps.”
