2011 Speech Contestant Winners

“What Is The Economic Impact of Florida Forests?”

1st Place:Lauren Kinney
2nd Place:Tineke Swart
3rd Place:Kayla King
4th Place:Georgia Anne Pevy

Contest Rules

2012 Speech Contest

The public speaking contest is designed to develop leadership skills, self confidence and stimulate interest in conserving natural resources, especially as it relates to agriculture.
Written Copies of Speech Due: 07/12/2012
Topic: “Should Food Crops Be Used For Fuel?”
Oral Presentation: tentatively - 07/30/2012, 9:00 AM
San Destin Golf and Beach Resort
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West, Destin, FL 32550

Contest Rules

1. Contest is open to any 6th - 12th grade student attending school (public, private, virtual, and/or home-school) in Florida; who have competed and placed first at their local County and Area contests. Only one contestant from each Area will advance to the state competition.
2. Contestants must register by submitting a completed registration form AND a typewritten copy of their speech, double-spaced on 8.5 x 11 inch white bond paper, with a one inch margin. Speech must be typed using a standard font no greater than a size 12 (suggested: Times New Roman, Arial, Trebuchet MS or Corbel).
3. Speeches must be original, not previously used, and created by the contestant.
4. Speeches must be a minimum of six (6) minutes; but not greater than, eight (8) minutes in length. Time under or over these requirements, respectively, will result in 2 points deducted for each 15 second increment or part thereof.
5. Contests must NOT give their name or introduce themselves as part of their speech. During the course of the contest, contestants will be referred to as contestant 1, 2, 3, and 4.
6. Contestants may use notes while speaking; but NOT any form of audio or visual aids.
7. Contestant is expected to dress in a professional manner; however, contestant may NOT wear attire that will identify them with any organization (i.e., FFA, 4-H, or school logos).
8. A previous State First Place Winner may NOT compete again at the state contest.

Failure to abide by the rules or expectations as listed above will result in the contestant being disqualified. Changes to the winning rankings will be moving the remaining rankings up a level (i.e., second will become first, third will become second, fourth will become third (if applicable). Awards distributed will need to be forfeited by the disqualified contestant and returned to the Association of Florida Conservation Districts.

Prior to the oral presentation date, the Association of Florida Conservation Districts will have selected three (3) competent, impartial judges and a timekeeper. A standard score sheet will be used for all contestants. The judge’s decisions will be final. Judges will score entries based on the following criteria:

Scoring Category	Description	Maximum Allowable Points
Content	Relevance to the given topic	10
	Treatment (material used and accuracy of statements)	20
	Originality (subject matter and treatment)	20
Composition	Organization, cohesiveness, grammar, and style	10
Delivery	Voice (enunciation, modulation)	10
	Personal Appearance (neatness, posture)	10
	Communicative Expertise (sincerity, ability to convey thought and meaning)	10
	Stage Presence (gestures, visual contact)	10
	Total Possible Points:	100
Deduction will result at a rate of 2 points for each 15 second increment or part thereof, for failure to abide by the time requirement.

Entries may be mailed, faxed, or emailed to:
Attention: Becky Tindale
AFCD
2441 NE 3rd St., Suite 204-2
Ocala, FL 34470
Fax: 352-732-9728 ( - if faxing, please call ahead 352-622-3971 ext. 112)
E-mail: becky@afcd.us

For Speech Contest Entry form click here:  Speech Contest Entry Form