Extension Highlights

Massachusetts 4-H members build skills, face fears at state competition

Public speaking may be most people’s number one fear, but you’d never know it from watching 13-year-old 4-H member Zoe Stapp take the stage.

“Once I start talking, I’m fine. I’m just used to speaking in front of a lot of people,” says the Westford resident. And it’s no wonder—as a four-year veteran of the annual Massachusetts 4-H Visual Presentation competition, she’s had plenty of opportunity to practice.

This year’s competition, which took place on March 29 in Bedford with sponsorship from the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation, drew nearly 300 young people from every corner of the state for the chance to give a 3- to 10-minute prepared presentation on topics ranging from food preparation to computer programming to poultry care. But what these 8- to 18-year-olds learn goes far beyond the details of their subject matter, according to Massachusetts 4-H staff.

“A lot of these children go from being excruciatingly shy before taking part in the program to becoming extremely well spoken,” says Jay Field, the UMass Extension Educator who spearheaded this year’s event (UMass Amherst administers Massachusetts 4-H as one of its Outreach programs). “They build skills that help them with their schoolwork, with job interviews, and college interviews. In fact, teachers regularly tell us that they can pick out the 4-H members in their class by how well prepared and comfortable they are speaking in front of the group.”

It’s a point that’s not lost on the participants themselves. “Doing the Visual Presentations and being in 4-H Speech and Debate Club definitely helps me in all aspects of my life,” says 14-year-old Sarah Comeau, whose presentation this year, “From Edible to Incredible,” taught her audience the ins and outs of making apple-head dolls. “I’m more outgoing now, and I’ve found it easier to talk with all sorts of people, even if I don’t know them well,” she adds—skills that come in handy for her 4-H community service work visiting nursing homes with the family dog.

But perhaps even more remarkable than the poise that these young people attain is their dedication to camaraderie and teamwork—no small feat considering they’re in direct competition with one another. “4-H club members are taught to stand in each other’s shoes,” says UMass Extension Educator Wendy Marcks. “My son, who went through the Visual Presentation program himself and now works as a college admissions officer, tells me ‘You have no idea what a difference it makes to us when a 4-H member comes in with 12 to 13 years of community service under their belt. We know they’re the type of people who will step up.’”

That belief is confirmed by 16-year-old Samantha Oldfield, who spent much of the day hurrying to catch presentations by her fellow local and county 4-H members. “There are so many people supporting you, even if they don’t know you,” she says. “It’s a great environment.”

That’s true even at the height of competition, she adds. “It was pretty intense in the run-off room,” recalls the Shirley resident, whose fourth-place finish in the popular horsemanship category came close to winning her a spot at nationals. “The judges took 45 minutes deliberating, and it was dead silent. But I tried to get everyone a little more comfortable by starting up conversations. I’ve always found it’s a lot easier to give my presentation once I’ve made a connection.”

And in the end, it’s those connections—as well as a sense of personal achievement—that keeps 4-H members coming back for more, even on a sunny Saturday afternoon that could easily have gone to less edifying pursuits.

“These children walk away with a sense that they’ve accomplished something,” says UMass Extension Program Assistant and Visual Presentation judge Pam Lefave. “We teach them that they can do whatever they set their minds to. And they begin to believe it.”

“Each child feels like they’ve succeeded, even if they don’t win,” agrees Marcks. “They learn to stand up and voice their opinion. What a difference that could make for their future. Whether they’re at a business meeting or a legislative hearing, they’ll have the tools to be effective.”

Not that that’s necessarily what’s on their minds for now. “It’s just a lot of fun,” says 11-year-old Rebecca Weitz, whose presentation on maple sugaring exhibited her skills in research, science, the natural world—even sewing, courtesy of “Buddy Bud,” the character she created to help bring her presentation to life. “There are so many topics I’d like to turn into presentations,” she says wistfully. “I just wish we could do this more than once a year.”