(front, l-r) Ellie Bierman, Kaylin Tomac, (back, l-r) Brandon Hoines, Tyrza Hoines, Carter Tomac. Submitted photos

On June 1, 4-Hers participated in the Unit 9 Communication Arts contest at Christ the King School. Unit 9 includes Mercer, McLean, Morton, Oliver and Grant Counties. These 4-Hers presented in their chosen categories before two judges and an audience.

Here are the first place recipients:

Preteen

Demonstration – Sierra Ellingson, Morton County; Illustrated Talk – Michael Schmidt, Oliver County; Public Speaking – Kelsie Schaff, Morton County; Dramatic Presentation – William Liffrig, Oliver County; Interpretive Reading Humorous – Brandon Hoines; Short Take – Stetson Ellingson.

Teen

Public Speaking Teen – Kristen Liffrig, Oliver County; Dramatic Presentation Teen – Mariah Higgins, Morton County; Interpretive Reading Humorous Teen – Carter Tomac, Morton County; Short Take Teen – Dominick Goettle, Morton County; Commercial Team Teen – Mariah Higgins and Codi Simonson, Morton County; Broadcast Team Teen – Callen Clarys and Renae Tokach, Morton County.

The Communication Arts program is open to any youth involved in Extension youth programs. It includes two age divisions: the preteen division (youth 8 to 12 years-old before Sept. 1) and the teen division (youth ages 13 to 18 before Sept. 1), the start of the current 4-H year.

The program helps participants develop communication skills that are useful throughout a lifetime and provide an opportunity to gather and organize information, equipment and props for public presentation.

(l-r) Mariah Higgins, Codi Simonson, Renae Tokach, Callen Clarys.