State 4-H Creed Contest

What Is The State 4-H Creed Contest?

The State 4-H Creed Contest is designed to allow 4-H members to compete in a friendly, scripted competition while building public speaking confidence and skills.

Who

Any current 4-H youth (age 8 as by 06/30/2024 up to 21 as of 9/30/2025) may enter regardless of his/her project enrollment.

Age Divisions:

• Junior: 4-H members age 8-10 by 06/30/2024.
• Intermediate: 4-H members age 11-13 by 06/30/2024.
• Senior: 4-H members age 14 by June 30, 2024, up to 21 as of September 30, 2025.

Tracks

• Track 1: This track will be for those participants that feel confident in reciting the 4-H Creed from memory.
• Track 2: This track is for those participants that wish to have a copy of the 4-H Creed available to them during the recitation.

Registration

Registration will open on Saturday, February 1st, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. and will close on Thursday May 1st, 2025 at 11:55 p.m. All eligible 4-H members who wish to participate must record their presentation, upload their video to YouTube to receive a link, and submit a “2025 State 4-H Creed Contest” event registration in ZSuite no later than Thursday May 1st, 2025.

Add the following information under the “Basic info” tab:

• Enter your name (as you would like it displayed with your video).
• In the title section, put your County, Age Division, and Track you are entering.
• Example: Harrison, Intermediate, Track 1

Registration will be handled through the 4-H ZSuite Online System.

Register Here (4-H ZSuite)

View All WVU 4-H State Contests

Presentation Requirements

• Opening
• Greeting of the virtual audience
• State 4-H Member Name, Age, and Club
• Body
• State, “I will be reciting The 4-H Creed, written by an anonymous author.”
• Recite the creed as follows:
• "I believe in 4-H CLUB work for the opportunity it will give me to become a useful Citizen."
• "I believe in the training of my HEAD for the power it will give me to think, plan and to reason."
• "I believe in the training of my HEART for the nobleness it will give me to be kind, sympathetic and true."
• "I believe in the training of my HANDS for the ability it will give me to be helpful, skillful and useful."
• "I believe in the training of my HEALTH for the strength it will give me to enjoy life, to resist disease, and to work efficiently."
• "I believe in my country, my state and my community and in my responsibility for their development."
• "In all these things I believe and am willing to dedicate my efforts to their fulfillment."
• Closing
• After completing The 4-H Creed, say “Thank you” and respond to one of the questions listed below. Be sure to state the question in your response.
• How will 4-H club work help you to become a useful citizen?
• In what way does 4-H train you to think, plan, and reason?
• What is a Creed?
• Why did you compete in the 4-H Creed Contest?
• What is the 4-H Motto and what does it mean to you?
• What is your 4-H Club work?
• How have you and your club helped in the development of your community?
• Describe some of the ways that through your club projects, you have become helpful, useful, and skillful?
• How have you shown that you have taken responsibility for the development of your community, state, and country?
• Do you think the creed it true for youth of today? Why or why not?
• You should submit your entry by May 1, 2025.

Rules

• There is no limit to the number of participants in each age division for each county. Participation in a county level 4-H Creed Contest is encouraged, but not required to enter this contest.
• The 4-H Creed must be recited by one 4-H member individually. No team presentations will be accepted.
• 4-H members may be state (Gold Ribbon) winners once in each respective track and each age division.

Timeline

• 4-H members who wish to participate must record their presentation, upload their video to YouTube to receive a link (See How To Guide), and submit a ZSuite Event Registration by May 1, 2025.
• Participants will be notified of their scores and feedback via email no later than June 15, 2025.

Scoring & Awards

• Presentations will be scored using a 50 point rubric. A maximum of 10 points can be earned in each of the following categories: words correct, voice, manner and appearance, questions, and opening and closing (See rubric in registration documents for more detailed information).
• Qualified entries will receive a certificate for meriting in one of the following categories in this state level contest:
  • 45 points and above—GOLD
  • 40-44 points—BLUE
  • 30-39 points—RED
  • 20-29 points—WHITE
  • Below 20 points—GREEN

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