When 4-H'ers speak, the Bridgeton Kiwanis Club listens with pride! 2010 marks the 48th year for the service club's continuous sponsorship of the 4-H public speaking program.

The 4-H Public Presentations will take place on March 27, March 29 and April 1 at the 4-H Center located at 291 Morton Avenue in Rosenhayn. The 4-H Youth Development Program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station offers educational programs such as the 4-H Public Speaking Contest to all youth grades K-13 (one year out of high school), on an age appropriate basis without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation or disability.

4-H leaders are presently helping club members select a topic, organize their presentation and encourage them to practice it over and over again.

“The ability for boys and girls to organize their thoughts and see them develop poise and self confidence makes public speaking one of the most valuable offered to 4-H youth,” says Linda Costello of Port Elizabeth, president of the 4-H Leaders’ Association.

The contest will be divided into a Cloverbud, Junior and Senior Divisions and is open to all Cumberland County 4-H members, grades K-13 (one year out of high school). The Bridgeton Kiwanis Club will be presenting all participants with award ribbons, certificates and a 4-H gift.

Eight 4-H'ers in the Junior Division with a “Superior” rating will be awarded the Cumberland County Historical Society one-day trip to Philadelphia to view and learn about the city’s historical sites.

County Senior Division contest winners who receive “Excellent” ratings will vie for state honors at the New Jersey 4-H Public Presentation Day at Rutgers University, George H. Cook/Douglass Campus on June 5.

4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills!