Washington County 4-H’ers showcase their sparks at statewide public speaking event

Three members of the Cobscook Currents 4-H Club proudly represented Washington County at the 2025 Speak Up, Maine 4-H! public speaking event, held on Saturday, April 5 at the University of Maine in Orono.

Senior 4-H’er Soren D. presented an illustrated talk titled “Machias Dike and Marsh: What Should Be Done?” and received a blue ribbon for his thoughtful and well-researched presentation on a timely local environmental topic.

Junior members Ira D. and Théo M. also delivered engaging presentations. Ira received a blue ribbon for their demonstration talk, “A Cheese Board for a 4-H’er,” while Théo was awarded a red ribbon for his illustrated talk, “History of the Fishing Rod,” which explored the evolution of a tool important to Maine’s culture and heritage.

“I’m really proud of the youth for committing to the 4-H Public Speaking program. They spend a lot of time preparing their talks, practicing, and weaving in feedback from the county showcase. It’s incredible to see them share their sparks with creativity, poise and confidence,” said Gabrielle Brodek, Washington County 4-H Youth Development Professional.

The state showcase brought together 4-H youth from across Maine to present on a wide range of topics, while practicing critical public speaking skills and building confidence in front of a live audience. In order to qualify for the state event, they had to receive an average score of 78 or higher at a county event. 

For more information about 4-H programs in Washington County, please reach out to Gabrielle Brodek at 207.255.3345 or gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu.