Tyson Rudolf won the 2020 Northeast Regional Virtual Communications. Photo submitted
Tyson Rudolf (17) is a grade 12 student at Innisfree Delnorte School. Rudolf joined the Innisfree-Minburn 4-H Beef Club nine years ago and presents speeches at club communications along with other club members.
“When you belong to a 4-H Club you have to participate in public speaking. You write your speech or presentation and present it at your club communications. As a senior member if you win your club level, district level and regional level, you will qualify to compete at Provincials. When you advance to the Provincial level, it is an honour to represent your club, district and region. However, with COVID-19 this year, 4-H Alberta hosted a virtual communications event to qualify for Provincials,” said Rudolf.
Seventy-nine senior members from 4-H clubs across Alberta submitted and of those 79 speeches the top 10 were selected to advance to Provincials. Eight senior members from across Alberta participated in Provincials virtually on April 10. This year’s speech topic was ‘The Impact of the Carbon Tax on the Alberta Agricultural Industry’.
“This year due to COVID-19, all 4-H communications were held virtually. On a normal year you would gather in your community to host and celebrate these events. Hopefully next year it will return to normal for the 4-H members. As this is my last year in the 4-H program I really appreciate that 4-H Alberta made it possible to have a Provincial Communication competition,” commented Rudolf.
Rudolf was overcome with joy and excitement when he was announced as the winner of the competition.
“Every member involved works so hard to prepare, and be their best in such a tough group. I have always enjoyed doing speeches, so to win at such a level was very rewarding, all the years of practice, and hard work paid off. I think public speaking gives you good communication skills, self confidence, and good leadership skills. As a 4-H member you work hard to reach goals and to attend provincials was one of mine, and it was an honour to participate in such an event,” commented Rudolf.