PREWITT, NM – The 2024 Bi-County Fair is fast approaching, and with it comes an exciting opportunity for the youth of Cibola and McKinley Counties to showcase their public speaking skills.
The Bi-County Fair Public Speaking Contest is an excellent platform for young residents to develop their abilities in research, communication, and public presentation, all while exploring topics relevant to the agriculture industry.
Who Can Participate?
The contest is open to youth members of 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapters in Cibola and McKinley Counties. Participants are grouped into three age divisions: Novice Division: Ages 8-12 Junior Division: Ages 13-15 Senior Division: Ages 16-18 Please note that competitors must be residents of either Cibola or McKinley County and must not have graduated from high school.
What is Required?
Participants are required to submit speech materials based on their division: Novice Division: A 200300 word abstract outlining their speech topic, with at least three references cited according to APA guidelines.
Junior Division: A minimum of two double-spaced pages containing the speech transcript, with five references cited.
Senior Division: A minimum of three doublespaced pages containing the speech transcript, with seven references cited.
All submissions must be accompanied by a Statement of Originality signed by the participant, a parent or guardian, and either their FFA Advisor or County Extension Agent.
Competitors must choose topics from one of the nine Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) standards, including areas such as Agri-Business, Animal Sciences, Environmental Services, and more. According to Bi County Fair President Patrick Jaramillo, this allows participants to delve into subjects they are passionate about while staying aligned with industry standards. Contest Format:
Participants will present their speeches on Sunday, September 1, during the Bi-County Fair. Each speech will be followed by a question and answer session, where the contestant will have the opportunity to further demonstrate their knowledge and poise. Time limits for each division are as follows: Novice Division: 3 to 4 minutes Junior Division: 4 to 6 minutes Senior Division: 6 to 8 minutes Competitors must adhere strictly to these time limits, as points will be deducted for speeches that run over or under the allotted time.