The Saskatchewan 4-H northwest regional public speaking competitions were held in Blaine Lake March 23. District 29, consisting of Borden Light Horse, Crown Hill Beef and Sask Valley Dairy clubs, hosted the event.
4-H member Melissa Saunders opened the program by inviting audience involvement in the northwest region chant with 4-H mascot Harold the Hare.
Crown Hill member Anna Verbonac and Sask Valley Dairy member Ariana Milden were acting masters of ceremonies for the afternoon event. Lionel Casavant, past general leader of Crown Hill Beef club, acknowledged the sponsors and introduced the judges as Erika Dyck of Saskatoon, Sean Brandt and Hilde Besic of Warman and Quentin Greba, Vivian Nemish, Pat Ciona, Delva Rebin and Norm Rebin, all from Blaine Lake. Timekeepers were Donna Verbonac and Kira Casavant.
Cloverbud participants included Cooper Taylor of Canwood Multiple, District 33; Martine Bosse of C.C. Ryders, District 22; Julie Grinde of Catherwood, District 23; Julie-Ann Warner of Makwa Beef Club, District 36; Teara Tracksell of Borden Light Horse, District 29; Billi-Dean Foulston of Swift Mount, District 34; Scott Huber of Kerrobert Multiple, District 24; Shaelyn Shirtliffe of Paradise Hill Multiple, District 38; and Torrie Chibri of Lashburn Beef, District 35.
Junior level competitors included Sara Edwards of Parkdale Multiple, District 38; Morgan Grinde of Catherwood, District 23; Courtney Yasieniuk of Crown Hill Beef, District 29; Wylee Thiessen of Kerrobert Multiple, District 24; Shelby Bygrove of Hillmond Beef, District 35; Sean Elwood of Senlac Multiple, District 30; Rayna Yasieniuk of Reigning Riders, District 34, Bryden Lepage of Leoville Multiple, District 33; Kiara Williams of District 22 and Sierra Day of Pierceland Beef, District 36.
Intermediate participants were Chanetelle MacLeod of Borden Light Horse, District 29; Janelle Witzaney of Senlac Multiple, District 30; Chelsea Lepage of Leoville Multiple, District 33; Tristan Wagmann of Goodsoil Canine, District 36; Amy Carruthers of Paradise Hill Multiple, District 38; Kody Farrow of Herds of Thunder, District 22; Wyatt Miller of Catherwood, District 23; Rebecca Creech of Northminster Beef, District 35; Cody Heintz of Handel Multiple, District 24; and J.C. Blais of Reigning Riders, District 34.
Senior level participants included Jamie Schwark of Country Corners, District 34; Liane Price of St. Denis Roughriders, District 22; Melissa Saunders of Borden Light Horse, District 29; Matthew Bartelen of Big River Multiple, District 33; Coleman Tyler of Lashburn Beef, District 35; Austin Heintz of Handel Multiple, District 24; Ainsley Bowey of Senlac Multiple, District 30; Jacqueline Toews of Parkdale Multiple, District 38; and Hayleigh Nault of Pierceland Beef, District 36.
The judges had a challenge as each of the competitors did an outstanding job with their presentations. It was clearly evident why some of these aspiring public speakers had advanced to the regional level. The top two placings in each of the categories advanced to provincials to be held in Kerrobert April 13.
The top three placings in the cloverbud category were Shaelyn Shirtliffe -first, Teara Tracksell - second and Torrie Chibri - third; in the junior category were Sierra Day - first, Rayna Yasieniuk - second, Sara Edwards - third; in the intermediate class were Amy Carruthers - first, Wyatt Miller - second, Kody Farrow - third; and in the senior category were Austin Heintz - first, Hayleigh Nault - second, and Jamie Schwark - third.
