Back L to R – Cheyana Smith, Destiney Drake, Chloe Smith, Conner Smith, Emmi Odenbach, Emry Lueck, Nicole Hayes, Xander Hayes
Front L to R – Annabelle Rittenbach, Elizabeth Rittenbach, Reahha Schlecht, Rhian Lueck, Everett Hayes, Colten Smith
Photo Submitted
Submitted by Robin Barnes
JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NDSU Extension Service) – Stutsman County 4-H held its Communication Arts/Project Expo Contest on Sunday April 25, 2021 at the NDSU Extension Stutsman County office.
18 4-H’ers gathered for the day to exhibit their expo tables and/or their communication skills. There were 11 participants in the Project Expo Contest. This is a display about a project that the member has researched and/or performed, using posters, pictures and small examples carefully arranged on a card table. A judge will then come look at the table and talk with the 4-H’er about their project. Cloverbuds are encouraged to participate and are given a ribbon and a t-shirt, and comments on their table. We had one Cloverbud – Colten Smith.
Front L to R – Colten Smith, Cora LaMont, Elizabeth Rittenbach, Annabelle Rittenbach, Aveahya LaMont
Grand and Reserve ribbons and cash awards were presented to both the older age groups. There were 8 pre-teen exhibitors ages 8 to 12. Grand Champion was Chloe Smith and reserve was Emmi Odenbach. The Teen division grand was Knoah Weber, and reserve went to Destiney Drake. Special thanks to our Cloverbud and teen judge, Linda Schwartz, and our preteen judge, Eunice Sahr. The communication arts contest consists of 8 different categories and 2 age groups, along with a Cloverbud opportunity. Each 4-H’er may do as many presentations as they choose, but only one per category. The Cloverbuds may do something they are comfortable with such as the 4-H pledge or Pledge of Allegiance, or anything that would fit into one of the 8 categories.
The junior division are age 8 through the 6th grade. The seniors are 7th grade to age 18. A grand and reserve ribbon and cash award is presented in each category. They are then eligible to compete in the district competition that will be held in McClusky on June 2. A high point junior and senior are also awarded an embroidered coat that is sponsored by i3G Media.
Thank you to the six judges who judged the event: Barb Barnick, Aurora Bear, Heidi Bear, Joseph Kraehenbuehl, Amanda McClean, and Jason Rohr. There are two judges per room, and the categories are split among the three rooms.
Our Cloverbud presenters, each receiving a ribbon and t-shirt, were Everett Hayes, Rhian Lueck, and Colten Smith. In the Demonstration category, the junior reserve champion was Reanna Schlecht and grand was Emmi Odenbach; the senior grand champion was Chloe Smith. In Illustrated Talk, the junior reserve champion was Emry Lueck and grand was Conner Smith. In Interpretive Reading, the junior reserve champion was Elizabeth Rittenbach and grand was Annabelle Rittenbach; the senior grand champion was Chloe Smith. In Dramatic Presentation, the grand champion junior team was Annabelle and Elizabeth Rittenbach. In Electronic Presentation, the senior reserve champion was Chloe Smith and the champion was Cheyana Smith. In Mass Media Presentations, the senior grand champion was Chloe Smith.
Each event is scored by each judge and added up, then the top three scores are totaled to determine the high point of each age group. The Junior High Point Communications Arts winner this year was Annabelle Rittenbach, the Senior award went to Chloe Smith.
Other sponsors that helped make the awards possible were Dr. Betty Lok and Wilhelm Chevrolet – Rod Wilhelm. If you have any questions about these contests or 4-H in general, please contact Robin at the NDSU Extension Stutsman County office, 502 10th Ave SE at 252-9030.