The 2024 South East Regional 4H Public Speaking event was held at the Church of God in Estevan on Saturday, March 16.  

There were 36 speeches delivered throughout the day. The speeches were then reflected on by the judges, and the first, second and third-place winner was announced.  

The regional 4H speeches are rotated between nine districts in the Southeast, so each region hosts them every 9 years.  

Glenn Gress, general leader of Browning Multiple Club, said that speeches are a mandatory requirement to finish your year in 4H.  

Gress added that the speeches are an invaluable lesson for the kids, that they will use for years to come.  

“It does matter if you're going in for job interview. If you are talking just like I am right now to you, if you're talking. to anybody in the public,” said Gress. “ 4H speeches are so important, and it brings eye contact when you want to talk to a person, right and that's what we really want.”  

The complete list of winners: 

Cloverbuds (6-8 years old):  

First Place was awarded to Reed Vandenhurk from the Cymri 4-H Beef Club for his speech “I Love Lego.” 

Second Place was awarded to Mara Forden from the Serath Multiple 4-H Club for her speech “Part Time Chore Girl.” 

Third place was awarded to Eva Muxlow from Radville 4-H Beef Club for her speech “Books.” 

Junior (9-12 years old): 

First place was awarded to Darian Beattie from the Melville Town ‘N Country 4-H Club for his speech “The Right Decision.” 

Second place was awarded to Luke Vandenhurk from the Cymri 4-H Beef Club for his speech “Pheasant Hunting.”  

Third Place was awarded to Bella Roysum from the Soo Line Light Horse 4-H Club for her speech “Jobs When I’m Older.” 

Intermediate (13-15 years old)  

First place was awarded to Gage Goetz from Outram Madigan Beef 4-H Club for his speech “Slingshot Racing.” 

Second place was awarded to Amy Fradetter from Pangman-Ogema 4-H Beef Club for her speech “Heidi Fradette 2.0.”  

Third place was awarded to Reata Lovich from the McQuibe Multiple 4-H Club for her speech “Miracles.”  

Senior (16-21 years old): 

First place was awarded to Ava Loveridge from the Goodeve Multiple 4-H Club for her speech “Vertically Challenged.”  

Second place was awarded to Cailey Haus from the Canadiac 4-H Beef Club for her speech “Small Town Life.”  

Third place was awarded to Isabella Erickson from the Elcapo Lighthorse 4-H Club for her speech “Crisis.”  

The top two speeches in each age category will move to provincial speeches. They will be held in Melville on April 20.