Must be enrolled in Sussex County 4-H to participate. Interested in joining? Contact your county 4-H office.

Sussex: 302-856-7303

Kent: 302-730-4000

New Castle: 302-831-8965

4-H members select a topic, research facts, and present timed speeches, graduated in length as required by their age division. An "Extemporaneous Speech" category is available to Senior Division Youth.

4-H contestants are judged on a variety of criteria. The contestant with the highest score in each age category advances to the state-level contest held during the Delaware State Fair in July.

Complete Rules, a Guideline Worksheet and Sample Scoresheets are available at www.udel.edu/4hevents.

Time limits are as follows:

• 5-7 year old Cloverbuds - 1-2 minutes
• 8-9 year old Beginner I - 1.5-3 minutes
• 10-11 year old Beginner II - 2-4 minutes
• 12-13 year old Junior - 4-6 minutes
• 14-19 year old Senior - 5-7 minutes
• 14-19 year old Senior Extemporaneous - 3-5 minutes

Cloverbud Guidelines

Cloverbuds may gain participation experience during the Public Speaking Contest. Cloverbud speeches are not judged.