4-H members present speeches to judges

Every year Sanders County 4-H members spend hours preparing to give a public speech on any topic they chose. Throughout last week and weekend round one of Communication Days took place; 90 youth took front stage to present their topics to judges.

Members can choose to present on any subject matter they wish. This year's topics ranged from learning the parts of a small engine to learning how to make a balloon bowl.

Whitepine Happy Worker Savana Wilson showed up touting her Ragdoll cat, Cotton Candy Cougar Wilson, in her backpack. But don't worry, the pack is specifically suited to carry cats, it has a window and great ventilation.

Communication Days allows presenters to choose from different presentation formats, such as giving a demonstration on how to do something, giving an informational talk relaying information on a topic, giving an impromptu speech or choosing to compete in a cooking challenge called Stir-Ups.

The main goal of Communication Days is to help youth, by starting from an early age, gain comfort and control while speaking in a public setting and acquire self-confidence.

Judges, who volunteered a day out of their weekend, gave constructive comments to presenters and made the final call as to who should move on to finals, which take place Sunday, March 11 in Plains.

Members who participated this year included:

Heron-Noxon Explorers: Tate Bosker, Caitlyn Fairbrother (finalist), Miguel Fanning, Jaedyn Murray and Shane Murray.

Hot Spring Wranglers: Kara Christensen, Brooke Jackson, Claire McAllister, Elena McAllister, Jack McAllister, Nick McAllister, Isabel Morton, Russell Morton, Aubrey Tulloch, Mackenzie Tulloch, Marina Tulloch, Georgia Uski, Jesse Uski and Josie Uski.

Little Bitterroot presenters were Ellie Buffo, Tucker Foster, Boston Goode, Wyatt Goode (finalist), Coby Guenzler, Mikayla Mueller (finalist), Allan Peters and Madisen Wheeler.

South Side Sparks: Piper Bergstrom, Skylar Bergstrom, Brody Black, Denny Black, Jayde Cook, Melodie Cook, Mikiah Cook (finalist), Chloe French, Lydia French, Anna Hafner, Cody Hafner, Gavin Hafner, Austin Hansen, Cody Hansen (finalist), Jim Hanson, Alexis Helterline, Jacob Hutchins, Tressa Lyscio (finalist), Tyler Lyscio (finalist), Matthew McKenzie, Shane McKenzie, Gavin Regalado, Deryan Sheehan, Holly Stratford (finalist), Robyn Stratford, John Thurston, Matthew Thurston, Carlie Wagoner, Andrew Wrobleski (finalist), Claire Wrobleski (finalist), Martin Wrobleski (finalist) and Rachel Wrobleski (finalist).

Thompson Falls Mountaineers: Ben Croft, Olivia Harnett (finalist), Callie McGillis, Anna Pallister, Mackenzie Robinson, Madeline Snell (finalist) and Madison Toyias (finalist).

Trout Creek Mavericks: Ethan Brown, Dane Chojnacky, Madison Chojnacky, Presley Cox, Natasha Fisher, Brianna Horner, Vanessa Horner, Garth Parker, Ariel Sprecher, Isaiah Sprecher, Noa Stevens, Addison Webb and Ariana Wood.

Whitepine Happy Worker: Bethany Burk (finalist), Annaliese Craik, Mckenna Craik, Payton Frields, Hattie Neesvig (finalist), Josey Neesvig (finalist), Marley Neesvig, Solveig Nygaard, Theodor Nygaard (finalist), Savana Wilson and Sydnee Wilson.