State Contest Information for Wirt County 4-H

Purpose

To encourage 4-H members to express their thoughts, feelings, understanding and impressions through written media. Exhibits should compel the observer to feel, think or be inspired by the 4-H member’s interpretation and expression.

Who

Entries must be written by the 4-H member (age 8 by June 30, 2022 up to 21 as of September 30, 2023) during the current 4-H club year.

Categories

There are three (3) categories for the 2023 4-H Writing Exhibition: Essay, Short Story, and Poetry.

Rules

• Number of Entries – A 4-H member can enter no more than one entry for each of the three (3) categories in 4-H Writing Exhibition.
• Length of Entries – Maximum 1,000 words.
• Original Work – All entries must be written by the 4-H members submitting them. Copying someone else’s work is not appropriate and will not be accepted.
• Format information – Document should be typed using 12-point font, single-spaced, 1” margins,
  8.5” x 11” size page.
• Identification – Each entry must have the following information at the top center: Name, County, Age, and category. This information can be inserted into the document’s header.

Displays & Rewards

• The State 4-H Writing Exhibition will be on display electronically at the State Fair of West Virginia in August.
• All participants will receive a State Fair ribbon, certificate, and premium ($3.50) for each writing entry.

Purpose

To increase 4-H members' awareness of the topics and to give 4-H'ers an opportunity for artistic expression.

Who

Any current 4-H member (age 8 by June 30, 2022 up to age 21 by September 30, 2023) may enter regardless of his/her project enrollment. No project requirements. The exhibitor must be a 4-H member during the year the poster is submitted.

Age Divisions

There are three (3) age divisions:

• Junior – 4-H members age 8 to 10 by June 30, 2022
• Intermediate – 4-H members age 11 to 13 by June 30, 2022
• Senior – 4-H members age 14 to 21 by June 30, 2022

Categories

There are eight (8) categories for the poster contest:

1. 4-H Promotion – General: To increase awareness about the 4-H program. This category is for promoting 4-H overall and specific 4-H activities may fall into one of the categories listed below.
2. 4-H Promotion – Club and Special Interest Programs: To increase awareness about 4-H clubs and special interest programs. Examples include community clubs, afterschool clubs, and specialty programs like shooting sports, robotics, livestock, outdoor, photography, and teen leadership.
3. 4-H Promotion – Camp: To increase awareness about the 4-H camping program. Posters can focus on camping overall or a specific camp - county, regional, or state; weekend, overnight, or day camp.
4. Healthy Living: To increase awareness about healthy lifestyle issues on topics such as nutrition; physical activity; social-emotional health; drug prevention; safety and prevention in areas like food, ATV, farming, fire, water.
5. Civic Engagement: To increase awareness of youths' role in civic leadership and service to their communities. This category also explores government principles, cultural history, and global education.
6. Agriculture: To increase awareness of topics related to agriculture to gain better understanding of the role of agriculture in our society. Topics such as horticulture, livestock, wildlife.
7. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math): To increase awareness of STEM activities and careers in topics such as life sciences; technology; robotics; applied mathematics; computer science; engineering; environmental and natural sciences.
8. Dairy: To show, using an imaginative theme, that milk is an important source of nutrients and to promote the use of milk *sponsor – American Dairy Association.

Rules

• Number of Posters – A 4-H member can enter any or all eight (8) categories in their age division.
• Individual – All posters must be constructed by one 4-H member individually. No team posters.
• Materials – Posters should be standard poster board. Foam board will not be accepted. Possible materials to use on the poster board are: markers, crayons, colored pencils, pasted-on construction paper or fabric (flat), paint, press-on letters, or stenciled letters (filled in). Nothing must protrude from or stick up on the poster, it MUST be a flat poster submission.
• Size – All posters must be 22” x 14”. (This is one-half of a full sheet of poster board).
• Original Work – All posters must be created by the 4-H members submitting them. Pinterest and Internet search engines can be used for inspiration, but copying a poster from the internet is not appropriate and will not be accepted. Posters also may not contain copyrighted characters. Some copyrighted examples are Disney Characters, Snoopy, Minecraft, and Harry Potter.
• 4-H Name and Emblem – All uses of the 4-H Club Name or Emblem shall be consistent with the educational purposes, character-building objectives, and dignity of the 4-H program and the 4-H Club Name or Emblem shall be given a position of prominence. It is not permissible to superimpose any letter, design, or object on the 4-H Club Emblem, or to materially alter its intended shape. For more information, review Using the 4-H Name and Emblem (PDF).
• Identification – Each poster must have the following information in the upper left corner on the back of the poster: Name, County, Age (as of June 30, 2022), poster category, age division. Use the provided tags for this information.

Displays & Rewards

County Level

• Posters will be judged at the county level. One poster in each category and age division may be submitted for state judging. It is at the county’s discretion to send winning posters on to the state level contest.

State Level

• Posters will be judged at the state level. All state level entries will receive a certificate, appropriate ribbon award, State Fair ribbon, and premium ($3.50) for each poster entered at the state level.
• Posters submitted to the state level will be on display electronically at the State Fair of West Virginia in August. Dairy category posters will be physically displayed at the State Dairy Show in August at WVU Jackson’s Mill.
• Special Award for Dairy Category – The state winner in each of the three age categories will receive a homemade ice cream freezer. The freezers will be awarded at the West Virginia Dairy Cattle Show and Festival. The sponsor of the freezers is the American Dairy Association.
• Special Award for 4-H Promotion Categories – The individuals who create the top poster (out of the three (3) age divisions) at the State level will have an opportunity to work with our WVU Extension Communication Department to further develop the posters into a promotion piece that will be used state wide during future 4-H programs and events.

Purpose

To encourage 4‑H members to take and exhibit pictures that interpret 4‑H to the exhibit viewers...communicate what 4‑H is all about. Emphasis should be placed on 4‑H activities.

Who

Photos must be taken by a 4‑H member (age 8 by June 30, 2022 up to age 21 by September 30, 2023), but the member need not be enrolled in a 4‑H photography project. The exhibitor must be a 4‑H member during the year the photo is submitted.

Rules

• Number – A 4-H member can enter up to two (2) photos in this contest.
• Photo Size – Photos must be either 3” x 5” or 4” x 6” in size.
• Mounting – Each photo must be mounted. The mounting material should be 5” x 7”. Mounting material can be cardstock, foam board, poster board, or a picture mat. It should be heavy material, so no printer paper or construction paper. Do not put photos in picture frames.
• Identification – Each photo must have the following information on the center, back of the picture: Name, County, Age, and an identifying caption for the picture. Use the provided tags for this information.

Displays & Rewards

• The State 4‑H Photo Exhibition will be on display at the State Fair of West Virginia in August.
• All participants will receive a State Fair ribbon, certificate, and premium ($3.50) for each photo entered.
• Photos will be returned to counties following the State Fair during checkout day for the 4-H exhibits.
• Individuals visiting the State Fair will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite photos and the top photos will be announced following the State Fair. There are no additional ribbons or premiums for those selected as People’s Choice winner.

Purpose

To provide 4-H members with an opportunity to communicate creatively and showcase their development of skills that are essential to communicating productively, while nurturing the spark inside that drives them to share information and stories in meaningful ways.

Presentation Contest Types

There are three (3) different types of presentations that can be submitted:

• Visual
• PowerPoint/Digital
• Public Speaking

View strong examples from previous state level participants at the bottom of the page.

Who

Any current 4-H youth (age 8 by June 30, 2022 up to age 21 by September 30, 2023) may enter regardless of his/her project enrollment.

Age Divisions

There are three (3) age divisions:

• Junior – 4-H members age 8 to 10 by June 30, 2022
• Intermediate – 4-H members age 11 to 13 by June 30, 2022
• Senior – 4-H members age 14 by June 30, 2022 up to 21 as of September 30, 2023

Categories

Public Speaking Presentations will not be categorized but all Visual Presentations and PowerPoint/Digital Presentations should be classified in one of the following categories:

1. Horse
2. Large Animal (includes the following types: beef, dairy, sheep, goats, etc.)
3. Small Animal (includes the following types: cats, dogs, poultry, small pets, etc.)
4. Veterinary Science
5. Plant Science and Horticulture (includes gardening, cultivated agricultural and horticultural plants and crops)
6. Mechanical Science and Technology (includes the following types: bicycle, tractors, robotics, computers, small engines, etc.)
7. Natural Resources and Environment (includes the following types: wild flowers, wild birds, forestry, recycling, entomology, etc.)
8. Leadership and Citizenship (includes personal development, leadership, community development, etc.)
9. Leisure and Recreation (includes the following types: hiking, recreation, games, sports, etc.)
10. Communication and Expressive Arts (includes the following types: theater arts, creative arts, crafts, photography, music, etc.)
11. Safety and Healthy Living (includes the following types: first aid, healthy choices, etc.)
12. Family Sciences (includes the following types: child development, financial education, etc.)
13. Clothing (includes construction, selection, wardrobe construction, etc.)
14. Foods and Nutrition
15. Career and Workforce Development
16. 4-H Promotion—Camp (includes camping overall or a specific camp—county, regional, or state; weekend, overnight, or day camps)
17. 4-H Promotion—Club and Special Interest Programs (includes community clubs, after school clubs, and specialty programs, like shooting sports, robotics, livestock, photography, and teen leadership)
18. 4-H Promotion—General (includes presentations intended to promote 4-H overall)
19. School Presentations (includes science and social studies fair projects, etc.)
20. First Lego League Innovation Project
21. West Virginia History
22. Landmarks and Tourist Attractions
23. Music (includes band, strings, choir, etc.)
24. Miscellaneous

Rules

• Each county may enter a maximum of one individual and one team presentation per category in each age division (Junior, Intermediate, Senior). In each presentation category, the highest scoring individual and highest scoring team from each county contest will be eligible to participate in the state contest. It is at the county’s discretion to send winning presentations on to the state level.
• Visual Presentations and PowerPoint/Digital Presentations can be presented as a team. Teams can consist from two to four youth. All members must be from the same age division.
  • Public Speaking Presentations must be given individually.
  • *NOTE: The First LEGO League Innovation Project Category will follow the policies of FLL for size and team member requirements. This will allow team size to range from 2-10 youth, spanning multiple age divisions.
• A 4-H member may participate in one or all 3 State 4-H Presentation Expo Contests. However, the maximum is one individual and one team presentation for each 4-H member in Visual and PowerPoint/Digital presentations, and one Public Speaking Presentation. As such, participating in more than one category within a single contest IS permitted within a given year ONLY if the 4-H member is presenting as an individual and as part of a team.
• 4-H members may be state (Gold Ribbon) winners twice in each respective category and each age division—once as an individual, and once as a member of a team. (For example, a 4-H member who has received a Gold Ribbon for a visual presentation in the Junior Individual Horse category is not eligible to win a Gold Ribbon in the Junior Individual Horse visual presentation category in subsequent years. But they are eligible to receive a Gold Ribbon for a visual presentation in the Junior TEAM Horse category.)

Procedures

Visual Presentation Contest

• The presentation may be a demonstration or illustrated talk pertaining to the subject of the category entered. Each contestant is responsible for providing his/her own introduction.
• Visuals, posters, models, or charts used must be easily seen and convey a message effectively.
• Electronic projected visuals (e.g. videos, PowerPoint, etc.) may not be used in Visual Presentations.
• If note cards are used, they must be small (no larger than 3” x 5”) and should not be read.
• Reference to product brand names should be avoided.

PowerPoint/Digital Presentation Contest

• Presentation must be the original work of the contestant(s).
• Each contestant or team is responsible for providing their own introduction.
• If note cards are used, they must be small (no larger than 3” x 5”) and should not be read.
• Reference to product brand names should be avoided.

Public Speaking Contest

• No visuals of any sort may be used.
• Speeches must be the original work of the speaker.
• If note cards are used, they must be small (no larger than 3” x 5”) and should not be read.

Time Requirement

• Junior/Intermediate Divisions – All Junior and Intermediate presentations must be a minimum of 3 minutes in length.
• Senior Division – All Senior presentations must be a minimum of 5 minutes in length.
• All Divisions – All divisions have a 10-minute maximum. If time limit is exceeded, only the first 10 minutes will be shown. A penalty for not meeting the minimum time requirement will be noted on the scoring rubric.

Scoring and Awards

All 4-H member participants will receive a certificate and appropriate ribbon for participating in the state level contest. Ribbons correspond to the following total points earned:

• Gold: Ribbons will be awarded to all participants who score 95 or above.
• Blue: Ribbons will be awarded to all participants who score 90-94 points.
• Red: Ribbons will be awarded to all participants who score 80-89 points.
• White: Ribbons will be awarded to all participants who score 70-79 points.
• Green: Ribbons will be awarded to all participants who score below 70 points.

All 14-19 year old gold ribbon winners will be awarded $100 towards registration and travel expenses for the 2023 National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, November 24-28, 2023. This award is contingent upon an interview with the National 4-H Committee, which will be held in early summer 2023.

Up to 6 top Senior Division scorers will be invited to represent West Virginia in the second annual Northeast States 4-H Presentations Fest being held virtually in September, 2023.

Timeline for Contest

• Counties or regions are responsible for arranging to judge presentations or hold contests prior to May 1, 2023.
• All eligible county level participants who wish to participate at the state level must record their presentation, upload their video to YouTube to receive a link, and submit a “2023 State 4-H Presentation Expo” ZSuite registration by May 1, 2023. Each member of a team presentation is required to register for the “2023 State 4-H Presentation Expo” event in ZSuite.
• Judging of presentations on the state level will occur between May 1 through June 2, 2023.
• State level participants will be notified of their results no later than June 9, 2023.
• Recognition for state level participants will occur during the State Fair of West Virginia, August 10-19, 2023.