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 06/30/2023 up to 21 as of 9/30/2024) may enter regardless of his/her project enrollment.

Age Divisions:

• Junior: 4-H members age 8-10 by 06/30/2023.
• Intermediate: 4-H members age 11-13 by 06/30/2023.
• Senior: 4-H members age 14 by 06/30/2023 up to 21 as of 9/30/2024.

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

Will open on Thursday, February 1st, 2024 at 7 a.m. and will close on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 at 11:55 p.m.

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

Register Here (4-H ZSuite)

Presentation Requirements

Opening

Greet virtual audience and state your name, age, and club.

Body

State “I will be reciting The 4-H Creed, written by an anonymous author.” Then recite the creed.

The 4-H Creed

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.

1. How will 4-H club work help you to become a useful citizen?
2. In what way does 4-H train you to think, plan, and reason?
3. What is a Creed?
4. Why did you compete in the 4-H Creed Contest?
5. What is the 4-H Motto and what does it mean to you?
6. What is your 4-H Club work?
7. How have you and your club helped in the development of your community?
8. Describe some of the ways that through your club projects, you have become helpful, useful, and skillful?
9. How have you shown that you have taken responsibility for the development of your community, state, and country?
10. Do you think the creed it true for youth of today? Why or why not?

Rules

• The 4-H Creed must be recited by one 4-H member individually. No team presentations will be accepted.
• 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.
• 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, and submit a ZSuite Event Registration by May 1, 2024.
• Participants will be notified of their scores and feedback via email no later than June 15, 2024.

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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