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Virginia 4-H Contest Guide - Radio/Public Address

ID

4H-427NP

Authors as Published

Prepared by Kathleen Jamison, 4-H Curriculum and Learning Specialist; Katie Lafon, State 4-H Events Coordinator; Kaci Daniel, Extension Agent, 4-H; Kelly Mallory, Extension Agent, 4-H; Bethany Eigel, Extension Agent, 4-H; Celia Brockway, Extension Agent, 4-H; Mandy Simons, Extension Agent, 4-H; Robbie Morrison, Extension Agent, 4-H; Kathy Alstat, Extension Agent, 4-H; Cathy Howland, Extension Agent, 4-H; Stacey Swain, 4-H Youth Educator

4H Logo - Publication 4H-427NP.

Description of Contest

The Radio and Public Address contests provide 4-H youth with an opportunity to express themselves clearly, organize their ideas and have confidence. By competing in this contest, youth learn valuable life skills in effective communication that they will use throughout their lifetime.

Levels of Competition

Unit (city/county), District, State

Age categories are as follows, using September 30th of the 4-H year as the determining date. The exception is for national contests, in which January 1 or another date may be used. It is the contestant’s responsibility to check national rules for age deadlines.

Juniors (ages 9-11)
Intermediate (ages 12-13)
Seniors (ages 14-18)

Awards to be Earned

The Danish awards system will be used at all levels of competition. Blue ribbons will be awarded to competitors earning 90-100 points; red ribbons will be awarded to competitors earning 75-89 points; white ribbons will be awarded to competitors earning 74 points or less.

Certain Extension districts award a purple ribbon to the highest scoring youth in the category. First place seniors in each category at the district level may proceed to State Congress. At the state contest, the highest scoring youth will be awarded a project medal. Youth who win the state project medal are ineligible to compete in that category in future years.

Rules for this Contest

  1. There is a maximum time limit of 30 seconds for spot announcement. 5 points will be deducted for every 5 seconds beyond this limit.
  2. Scoring is based on the content and delivery of the material; gestures and visuals do not enter into the judging.
  3. Participants will not be seen by the judges when performing.
  4. Should be related to 4-H and be original

Educational Resources to Help Prepare for this Contest

“How to Prepare a 4-H Radio Public Service Announcement”, University of Nebraska Extension, available: https://4h.unl.edu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=68b362de-d568-408c-8826-64c9656da085&groupId=466759

Score Sheets for this Contest

VCE Publication 380-025, “Radio/Public Address Score Sheet” available at: http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/380/380-025/380-025.html

Other Guidelines, Suggestions, or Pertinent Information

  • Explain how your information can help the listener
  • Tell the listener what you want them to do
  • Tell the listener who to contact for more information
  • Don’t use sound effects that distract from the message
  • Project personality through your voice; use short upbeat sentences and a conversational tone
  • Emphasize enunciation and pronunciation of every word
  • As a general rule, 30 seconds is about 75 words

Sample YouTube Videos of 4-H Youth in This Contest

None available at this time, but this is a goal for Virginia 4-H! If you are interested in creating a how-to video or posting a sample of your work, please contact your unit Extension staff who will work with the State 4-H Office.

Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Publication Date

February 3, 2021

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