By Matt de Simone
Botetourt County 4-H recently presented the 4-H County Presentation Contest at Central Academy Middle School (CAMS). Approximately 80 students from 4th and 5th grade who excelled in their classroom presentations in Dramatic Reading or How-To demonstrations received invitations for the event last Friday. Students divided up within their presentation area and competed against students from other elementary schools across the county.
4-H Extension Agent Tyler Painter explained that the presentation event is one that Botetourt County 4-H attempted back in 2020. Due to the pandemic, the organization had to put the event on hold. Currently, Painter visits classrooms in 23 of the 41 4th and 5th grade classes within Botetourt County. Painter remains hopeful that he’ll be in every 4th and 5th grade classroom next year.
“We have a very supportive school system,” Painter stated during the event. “I could not be in every single school doing what we’re doing without their support and the support from the Board of Supervisors.”
For the Dramatic Reading, students prepared a 2–3-minute presentation where they selected a passage from a book of their choice. They implemented various forms of paralanguage that included pitch, tone, speed, pauses, etc., while also incorporating body language and eye contact. Students were encouraged to dress like a character from their book to add to the dramatic flair.
Students entertained the judges and visitors with their selections ranging from Goosebumps tales, moments from Harry Potter’s world of wizardry, stories by C.S. Lewis, and more.
The judges for the Dramatic Readings were Cindy Bandy, Barrie Knox, Kelly Berry, Rachel Edwards, Katie Jones, and Dana McCaleb.
For the How-To Presentations, students worked to prepare a how-to demonstration poster project 3-5 minutes in length. These projects are designed for students to show their audience how to do something and provide a simultaneous explanation. Students were judged on many other factors: eye contact, poise/confidence, posters, and other materials. The presenters were divided up into classrooms based on various topics like food, health, and well being.
Some of the presenters showed the judges and spectators how to: ready a handy and helpful first-aid kit, make a lemon pie, perform skillful karate blocks, put together proper ingredients for a cup of iced coffee, and other valuable things.
To learn more about Botetourt County 4-H and its upcoming events, visit https://botetourt.ext.vt.edu/.