CUSTER COUNTY – Youth speakers showcased confidence, creativity and real life skills at the Custer County Public Speaking Contest on Monday, where multiple 4-H members earned top honors and qualified for the state competition.
The contest featured several divisions based on age and experience, including novice, junior and intermediate speeches, along with a public service announcement (PSA) category.
First place medalists included Liam McCaslin, who earned a purple ribbon in the novice division; Sage Smith, who received a purple ribbon in the junior division; Kateri McCaslin, who earned a blue ribbon in the intermediate division; and Gerrit O’Neill, who received a purple ribbon in the junior PSA division. Sage and Gerrit also qualified for the State 4-H Communications event scheduled for June 16 – 17, 2026.
In the Intermediate Division, 11 year old Kateri McCaslin representing the Dog Gone Fun 4-H Club delivered a speech titled “Cooking with 4-H,” focusing on safety, preparation and life skills gained through cooking projects.
“Today, I will turn on the heat on cooking safety, measure out some important cooking tips, and finally, offer up some tasty tidbits on the benefits of doing cooking and baking as 4-H projects,” McCaslin said.
She highlighted practical safety tips such as handwashing, proper food handling and kitchen awareness, while also emphasizing the broader impact of cooking.
“Cooking brings people together. It connects us with traditions, cultures, and even loved ones,” she said.
In the Junior Division, 9 year old Sage Smith of the Burr Oak 4-H Club spoke about lessons learned through her sheep project.
“Even though sheep are not that big, they’re still a lot bigger than me,” Smith said. “With my 4-H sheep showing project, I learned responsibility, hard work, and that you get what you work for.”
Smith described daily care routines and the importance of building trust with animals, adding, “It is important to do your best no matter what you are doing.”
In the Novice Division, for a 4-H member that has never competed in a 4-H speech contest was 9 year old Liam McCaslin with the Dog Gone Fun 4-H Club he recited “The Book With No Pictures.”
Gerrit O’Neill, also 9 years old, presented a PSA titled “What 4-H Is All About,” centered on this year’s theme, “Ready Today, Leading Tomorrow.”
“Do you want to build leadership skills, friendships, and discover new interests? You can learn all these things through 4-H,” O’Neill said in his recorded message.
He emphasized the wide range of opportunities available through 4-H, noting, “The possibilities are endless.”
Participants in the PSA category were required to keep their message within 60 seconds, something O’Neill said was one of the more challenging aspects of preparation.
Colleen Peterson, 4-H Extension Assistant, said the contest is designed to build communication skills early, helping youth succeed beyond 4-H.
Judge Susan Poland of Litchfield, a 4-H alumna, said the experience provides long-term value.
“Speech is one of those things that takes you through lifelong experiences,” Poland said. “By having an opportunity to do speeches so early in life and learning the process about what it takes to get there is a huge step up.”
She added those skills translate into school activities and future careers, including job interviews.
Following the awards presentation, the event concluded with a special thank you to the Custer County award donors: Arnold Rotary, Cindy Pearson in memory of Bill Pearson, and the Eugene Holeman Memorial.
