New York City 4-H Speaks Out
June 1, 2006
Nervous and anxious to present, 4-Hers add finishing touches to their presentations
The annual 4-H Public Presentation Event was held on Saturday, May 20, sponsored by Family and Youth Development. 20 4-H club members from Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens competed.
4-H Public Presentation promotes the development of essay writing, research, and presentation skills, and provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their competency.
Click here for competition results.
Mixing it Up
Topics were various, and included video games, dance, and Charles Darwin and Darwinian theory.
Presenters displayed an impressive command of their medium. 4-H Youth Council member Taina Benjamin used the Piaget Square to explain genetic probability as part of her Darwin presentation.
Khadiza Islam (PS 86 Pursuers of Excellence 4-H club) informed the audience of the seven steps to "Arranged Marriages"
Presenters constructed cultural and societal bridges. Khadiza Islam (PS 86 Pursuers of Excellence 4-H club) informed the audience of the seven steps to "Arranged Marriages". In her conclusion, she smiled and stated that "unlike Americans, at the end of the seven steps the couple simply signs the paper and it is done."
Team presenters Jossy Alvarez and Nathaelle Nelson (PS 86 Pursuers of Excellence 4-H club) spoke about "The Jewels of Hip Hop".
Immigration, Stereotypes, and Iraq
Presenters also engaged hot issues. Yvonne Lopez (T.R.U.C.E. 4-H club) delivered a PowerPoint presentation entitled "National Immigration Issues," that discussed the disrespect that millions of immigrants feel because of US policies such as the Secure American Border and Orderly Immigration Act, which seeks to develop a guest worker program for immigrants, and the Border Protection, Anti-terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act, that treats illegal immigrants as felons and favors deportation.
Judges work hard as they evaluate student presentations
Kimberly Scott (Young Athletes Inc. 4-H club) addressed minority stereotypes in "Minority Life". Her recommendation to the audience was to go past the obvious, the outside of a person, and to dig deep to discover the true intent of minorities before judging them.
Young Athletes Inc. 4-H club's David Nunez and Joanna Barrios discussed the war in Iraq.
The Judges
Members of the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. (Omicron Chapter) and the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), Inc. served as evaluators this year.
Team presenters Jossy Alvarez and Nathaelle Nelson (PS 86 Pursuers of Excellence) field audience questions
Tanya Isaacs, Director of Human Services and AKA member, spoke to the youth about the importance of strong communication skills and of making a good first impression, both in the workplace and in life. She stressed that in presentations you must take your self and your subject seriously and dress the part so that others take you seriously as well. Isaacs urged presenters to "always strive to perform at your personal best."
Evaluator Donald Scott of JP Morgan Chase Services was impressed with the quality of the presentations and the complexity of topics. "I couldn't make speeches like this when I was in school," he commented. Evaluators were impressed enough to volunteer to work with the program again.
Students Receiving Top Honors
| Presenter | Club | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Yvonne Lopez | T.R.U.C.E 4-H Club | National Immigration Issues |
| Hillary Garbano | PS 86Q 4-H club | Oceans |
| Jazmin Zara | PS 86Q 4-H club | Phillipines |
| Khadiza Islam | PS 86Q 4-H club | Arranged Marriages |
| Kevisha Bennet | T.R.U.C.E 4-H Club | Teenage Crime and Punishment |
Students Receiving Honorable Mention
| Presenter | Club | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Kimberly Scott | Young Athletes Inc. 4-H club | Minority Life |
| Jossy Alvarez and Nathaelle Nelson | The Jewels of Hip Hop | PS 86Q 4-H club |
More Information
Downloads
- Brochure (pdf)
- Annual Report 2008 (pdf)
- Annual Report 2007 (pdf)
- Annual Report 2006 (pdf)
- Annual Report 2005 (pdf)