The GJCA Prepared Public Speaking Contest aims to provide an opportunity for young people involved in the Georgia cattle industry to develop public speaking skills and participate in a competitive activity focused on agricultural issues. Participants are challenged to research a topic of their choice, analyze the information to develop a solid understanding of the issue, identify the key factors of importance, effectively deliver their message to a panel of judges, and receive and respond to encouraging feedback on their performance.
Time Requirements/Limits for Speeches:
• Junior Division: 2-4 minute speech
• Intermediate Division: 4-6 minute speech
• Senior Division: 6-8 minute speech
General Contest Info & Rules for ALL Age Divisions:
1. The contestant may choose to cover any subject or topic facing the livestock industry. The speech is to be of original content and be composed solely by the student speaker.
2. Contestant must bring their contest registration form, along with three typed, double-spaced copies of the speech on 8.5”x11” white bond paper, to the GCA Convention Registration Desk no later than 8:30AM on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. They must also include a cover sheet for their speech that lists the following information: name, address, and age as of January 1, 2024.
3. Contest officials will randomly determine the speaking order, and the participants will be notified before the contest begins. The contestant is encouraged to have the speech memorized but will be permitted to use notecards if needed.
4. The contestant will be asked to answer questions about their speech following their presentation. The question-and-answer session will be a maximum of 3 minutes, with 1 question to be asked per judge.
5. Visual aids provided by the contestant are permitted and encouraged.
6. When all participants have finished speaking, each judge will total the final scores for each participant. The final scores from each contestant will be tallied and then ranked in numerical order to determine the individual whose total score is the highest in each division. Score sheets will be available after the awards luncheon upon request.
7. The prepared public speaking contest is open to the public, and contestants are encouraged to listen to other participants’ speeches.
8. All contest participants who plan to attend the Wednesday luncheon and/or tradeshow must register for convention, which is not automatically included in contest registration.