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“The ability to think on your feet, express your knowledge clearly, and engage an audience are undoubtedly skills that make a difference,” says Kelli Dunklee, Event and Program Lead. “We’re thrilled to be helping youth build these core skills through this new contest and look forward to seeing our first round of competitors in 2024.”

Participants will get to choose from three randomly selected topics relating to the Holstein or dairy industries. After a 30-minute preparation time, Junior members will give a four-to-six-minute speech on their selected topic, followed by a round of questions from the panel of judges.

The judges will evaluate the speech based on content, composition, delivery, response to questions, and time. The top three winners will be awarded cash prizes of $200 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place.

Extemporaneous Speaking Contest participants must be a Junior Holstein member between the ages of 18 to 20 years old to compete. To apply for the contest, visit www.holsteinusa.com/forms_apps/Extemporaneous_speaking and submit the application form by May 1, 2024.

The contest will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, as part of the National Junior Holstein Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. To learn more about the 2024 National Holstein Convention visit www.holsteinconvention.com. Hotel rooms are currently available for booking and registration for the event will be open soon.