Citrus County School District

"Where learning is the expectation and caring is the commitment."

Another successful year in the books for the annual Tropicana Speech Contest. For more than 50 years, 4-H and the Tropicana Corporation have teamed up to bring public speaking opportunities to fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students across the state of Florida.
Nearly 4,000 Citrus County elementary and middle school students researched, organized and delivered speeches in the classroom and school contests through the months of November and December of last year. This week, families, friends, teachers and school district administrators filled the Historic Canning Plant in Lecanto to hear from the top winners around Citrus County.
The objective of the 4-H Tropicana Speech Contest is for student participants to increase their public speaking and communication skills. Participants must obtain as much information as possible on a topic of their choosing and carefully organize the material to be presented in a timely and orderly speech. In addition, participants can develop a pleasing personal style before an audience, acquire the ability to speak convincingly in public and express ideas effectively, and develop confidence and poise.
Two students from each public school, and both private schools, came together to shine as they wowed the judges while presenting their speeches. To advance to the county competition, each student earned a top spot at the classroom, grade, and school divisions before advancing to this final round.
Congratulations to all the students that took part in the 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking contests this year. Below is a list of our winners: