Achievement Night activities offer 4-H members an opportunity to show what they have learned in their 4-H projects. By participating in Achievement Night, 4-H members can qualify to present demonstrations at the Missouri State Fair and to participate in the Educational Tour planned by the Achievement Night Committee. To qualify to go on the Educational Tour a member must earn a blue ribbon at Achievement Night. Sign-up is in 4-H Online. Check your newsletter for more details.
Below is a description of Achievement Night events:
Awards
Each member will receive a ribbon based on the quality of their participation in each event. Top participants in each event will receive a special rosette ribbon. Those receiving blue ribbons will be invited to participate in the Educational Tour. Those giving demonstrations may qualify to give their demonstration at the Missouri State Fair. Some events allow winners to advance to state competition.
Show and Tell
Show and Tell is for first-year members only. You show and tell about something you have made or grown in your project. Tell briefly what the item is and how you made it. You might also tell why you chose the item and the easiest and most difficult parts about making it. Keep the object visible at all times. Finish by reviewing what you have told the judge.
Fashion Revue
Find more information about Fashion Revue in the 4-H Fashion Revue Guide. Fashion Revue has three divisions: Junior (ages 8–10); Intermediate (ages 11–13); and Senior (ages 14 and older). All ages are determined by the age the member was on Dec. 31, 2020.
Clothes You Make
For members in clothing, knitting and crochet projects. Members model a garment they have made. The judge looks for modeling skills, poise, posture, accessories chosen to be worn with the garment, how the garment looks on the member, etc. The judge may ask members questions about their outfits. The contest is divided into sewing, crochet and knitting divisions. Some county fashion revue winners will represent us at the State Fashion Revue contest.
Clothes You Buy
For members enrolled in Buying Clothes Levels 1 or 2. The contest is the same as Fashion Revue except that members model an outfit they have selected instead of one they have made. The garments do not have to be newly purchased. The outfit should fit into one of four categories: special occasion (dressing up), school days/sports wear (casual, comfortable), work wear/church attire (professional, respectable) or sleepwear, costumes, etc.
Public Speaking
View the Public Speaking webpage for more information. Public Speaking divisions are Junior (ages 8–10), Intermediate (ages 11–13) and Senior (ages 14 and older).
Prepared Speaking: Members can qualify to represent Franklin County at the State Public Speaking Contest by presenting a speech at Achievement Night. The three top speakers at Achievement Night will earn that honor. Members must prepare and present a speech on the topic of their choice. Speeches must be 3–5 minutes for Juniors, 4–6 minutes for Intermediate and 5–7 minutes in length for Seniors. No visual aids are allowed.
Extemporaneous Speaking: An extemporaneous speech is one that you do not prepare for in advance. Members will draw three topics, spend up to 10 minutes deciding what they want to say about the topic and then give the talk. Talks should be 3–5 minutes for Juniors, 4–6 minutes for Intermediate and 5–7 minutes in length for Seniors. The Top 3 in each division can participate in the state competition.
Technology Assisted Presentation: Presentations follow the same rules as Junior and Senior Public Speaking but allows the use of presentation software (such as PowerPoint) to support the presentation. A laptop computer and projector will be available. Think of this as an illustrated talk with the PowerPoint as the visuals. Presentations should be 3–5 minutes for Juniors, 4–6 minutes for Intermediate and 5–7 minutes for Seniors. The Top 3 in each division can participate in the state competition.
Interpretation: A dramatic or humorous oral presentation. The Top 5 performers in each type of interpretation will advance to state.
Demonstrations
A demonstration is showing and telling how to make something, or do something, you have learned in your project. Demonstrations should be 8–10 minutes in length (4–6 minutes for first- to third-year members). Posters should be used to show recipes, outline steps in the process or otherwise help the audience understand what is being done. Those who earn a blue ribbon at Achievement Night can take their demonstrations to the State Fair.
Team Demonstrations: A team of two 4-H members present a demonstration. Follow the same guidelines for a demonstration, but coordinate so that each member has a doing and a talking part. Try to plan the presentation so both members have about equal responsibilities.
Special Demonstration Contests
There are several special demonstration contests open to Missouri 4-H members. Most of the contests are held at the Missouri State Fair in August. Awards range from trips to participate in National Contests to cash prizes. Members may want to consider these when choosing a demonstration topic for Achievement Night.
Cooking With Honey Contest: The demonstrator must use honey grown or made by a Missouri honey producer or company; provide the honey producer or company's name; give nutrition information and the health benefits of honey; and discuss the benefits of pollinators. The demonstrator must present a finished product for judges' sampling and a recipe handout for the judges.
Egg Demonstration Contest: Contact the Extension Center for contest rules. Top senior demonstrator will participate in the National Contest in Louisville, Kentucky. Information to help prepare for the contest can be obtained by contacting Jesse Lyons at UMC Animal Science Extension, S-103 Animal Sciences Center, UMC, Columbia, Mo. 65211; phone (573) 882-0247. More information is available at https://national4hpoultry.ca.uky.edu.
Pork Demonstration Contest: Members must be enrolled in foods or swine project. Demonstration may be on any facet of pork including food, nutrition, production practices or byproducts. Prizes are awarded for first through third place in three age divisions. Animals may not be used.
International Topic Demonstration Contest: Demonstrations can be about an item that is made in another country, used in another country or that originates from another country. It should include information about the place where the item originates and the people who use the item. If the item is a food item, a copy of the recipe, nutrition information and a sample of the finished product should be given to the judges. Time limit: 7–10 minutes.
Missouri-Grown Foods Demonstration Contest: Demonstration must use a food product produced by a Missouri company, give background on the company and provide nutrition and preparation information. Three awards will be given in each age category. Time limit: 7–10 minutes. You can get a copy of the Agri-Missouri Buyers' Guide by calling 1-888-MOBRAND or at www.agrimissouri.com.
Electric Theatre Demonstrations: The demonstration can be on any subject, but it must use electricity, include information on electricity or be about a phase of the 4-H Electricity Project. For example, a visual arts demonstration on wood burning might include some information on safety involving an electric wood-burning tool.
