Time Allotted:

• 30 minutes to prepare speech- Contestants should arrive to the preparation room 35 minutes prior to their scheduled speaking time. At this time, the contestant will randomly draw a topic.
• 3-7 minute speech- Contestants who finish their speeches before or after the 3-7 minutes have elapsed will have 1 point deducted for every second that is over or under. The time will be posted throughout the speech to keep the contestant aware.

Materials: There will be a specially prepared information packet on the selected topic and two 3x5 note cards provided for each contestant. No other reference materials will be permitted.

Dress: Business Casual (Khakis, dress pants, button-up shirts, blouses, sweaters, etc…) Appearance is an important aspect of this competition.

Contestants will select a topic randomly when they arrive at the preparation room. The subject areas include, but are not limited to, the History and Development of Simmental and Simbrah cattle, Principles of Breeding, Selling, Customer Service and Managing/Marketing of Beef Cattle. Contestants are judged on subject knowledge, organization, presentation, response to questions, and general effectiveness. The topics will vary for junior and senior divisions.

Additional Resources

• 
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1H5m0S-sdQ
  This YouTube video describes five tips on delivering an oral presentation. To hear some helpful hints on how to grab your audience’s attention, as well as, little tips for the day of the presentation, check out this video!
  
  
• http://www.umw.edu/cas/speaking/speaking_center/documents/57-TipsandTricksforPublicSpeaking.pdf
  This article would be beneficial for speaking in large groups. Using page 2 will be helpful for preparing for the Regional and National public speaking contests.
  
  
• http://www.stresscure.com/jobstress/speak.html
  Review of 10 Key Principles to Always Keep in Mind
  
  
• http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/PublicSpeaking.htm
  This is an article that provides some easy hints to remember when delivering a speech. It explains that it is easy to present a forgettable presentation, so if you can follow these simple tips, you will ensure a memorable experience for the audience!

Competition Pictures