Any 4-H member in grades 8-13 who receives a blue ribbon at their County 4-H Public Presentation event is invited to enter the State 4-H Public Presentations event. Participants in the contest can choose to participate in one of two ways: 1) In-Person or 2) Recorded video. All participants will receive a certificate, Danish ribbon, and their score sheets at the conclusion of the contest. Best in Room Awards will be presented to the winners in each room
Option 1: In-person Contest
Rutgers Academic Building at Rutgers University on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Check-in at 10 a.m., event starts at 11 a.m.
Participants in this option will be split into classrooms with about 6-8 other presenters and two judges.
Option 2: Recorded Video Contest
The submission deadline for a recorded presentation video is Friday, June 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.. You must register in ZSuite by the May 22 deadline in order to submit your video.
Recorded video presentations will be evaluated by a team of judges after submission, with participants receiving their certificate, Danish ribbon and score sheets after the conclusion of the judging period. Simply prepare your presentation as usual, practice (practice, practice), and then record your presentation. You don't need special video equipment—you can video your presentation using a smartphone. Recorded presentations should be uploaded to YouTube as an unlisted file. For more detailed instructions and guidelines, please see the Recorded Presentation FAQs (PDF). If you run into any technology issues or have any questions, please email akesely@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Registration
All participants must register for State Public Presentations in ZSuite, whether you choose to present in-person or submit a recorded video. Registrations must be completed by Friday, May 22. Instructions on how to register are available here (PDF).
AGAIN THIS YEAR!
4-H Communications Contests
We are offering two 4-H Communications Contests this year! These contests are designed for youth who have qualified for State 4-H Public Presentations to explore and enhance their communication skills in various forms. After State Presentations have concluded, there will be a short break to allow participants and judges to grab lunch or a snack (food will not be provided). The contests will begin around 1:30 p.m. and conclude around 3 p.m.
The contests that will be offered are: 1. Extemporaneous Speech, 2. Mock Interview. These contests will allow teens to showcase their talents and receive valuable feedback from experienced judges. Participants can participate in one or both of the contests. Registration for the contests is included in the ZSuite State Presentation event registration. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Here is an overview of the 4-H Communications Contests:
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Extemporaneous Speech Contest:
Participants will draw a topic at random and will have a limited time to prepare and deliver a compelling speech about the topic drawn. -
Interview Contest:
Participants will engage in mock job interviews with experienced judges, answering questions on various topics.
You can find the 2026 4-H Communications Contests Guidelines & Rules here. (PDF)
For questions about the Communications Contests, please contact Harry Brochinsky at hb479@njaes.rutgers.edu.