Taber New Ewe 4-H Club host successful speak-offs

Times Photo Submitted by The Taber New Ewe Multi Club

By T. H. McClenaghan
Club Reporter

4-H Speak-Offs are the highlight of all 4-Her’s February, where youth write speeches, present them to judges, and learn communication skills. The Taber New Ewe Multi Club’s Speak-Offs happened last week on Tuesday, Feb. 10. 4-H members of all ages participated in this wonderful competition for the chance to be named the best speaker in the club.

This year, we had some great speakers and awesome judges. Our gracious judges were Robyn Anderson, Carla Saunders, Nathan Jensen, Kalley Howg, Kassidy Virostek, and Everett Van Tryp. Big thanks to them for agreeing to sacrifice their time to be judges and for giving us great feedback.

Winners of the club speak-offs go to divisionals, and this year’s winners are as follows: in the Junior group, the first-place winner was Ruby Sawatzky. In the Intermediate group, in first place, we have Ivy Hughes. Lastly, in the Senior group, the winner was Sam Hughes. Well done to the winners and good luck at divisionals.

Also, a nice warm shout-out to the second-place winners in their respective categories, Taren McClenaghan, Estelle Sawatzky, and Lucas Kerkhoff. Special honourable mention to Felix Van Uden, who wrote and performed a speech even though he didn’t have to, as our youngest Cleaver member.

At our latest meeting in January, we presented awards for the 2024-2025 4-H year. This is a summary of what awards were given out for last year’s competition winners:

Taren McClenaghan was given an award for first place in Junior Public Speaking. Ruby Sawatzky was given an award for second place in Junior Public Speaking. Ivy Hughes was given an award for first place in Intermediate Public Speaking and second place in Junior Showmanship.

Estelle Sawatzky got an award for second place in public speaking and first place for Junior record book.

Amy Iwan got an award for first place in Junior Showmanship and Grand Champion Market Lamb. Kayden Kress got an award for first place in Senior Showmanship and Reserve Market Lamb.

Sam Hughes got an award for second place Senior Showmanship, second place Senior Public Speaking, and first place for Rate of Gain for his sheep. Finally, Lucas Kerkhoff got an award for first in Senior Public Speaking and First in Senior Record Book.

Big thanks to Kathine Friesen for making the award certificates for our club for the past six years, and thanks to our club leaders, Rhonda Kress and Charlie Iwan, who give of their time and talents to make this club work.