Now, maybe it’s just me — but growing up, I was absolutely terrified of speaking in front of anyone other than my immediate family. School projects? A nightmare. Science fair? Terrifying. Honestly, even now, at twenty-three years old with a job that involves a lot of public speaking, I still sometimes get nervous before speaking in front of people I don’t know.

Thankfully, I’ve had to get used to speaking in front of others through the jobs I’ve had on my way to where I am today—from presenting projects in college, to working as a summer camp counselor at the aquarium, and now serving as the 4-H Agent for New Hanover County. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I became more comfortable with public speaking, but I do wish I’d had the opportunity to build that confidence earlier in life.

Public speaking is one of the most important life skills a person can learn—and honestly, it’s also one of the most lacking skills people have today. It’s the cornerstone of so many careers: teaching, business, sales, scientific research, medicine, and more. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the biggest fears people have—and for good reason! It can be scary.

I was lucky enough to develop my skills by presenting to younger kids during summer camps—kids who usually forgot about any mistake I made almost immediately. That low-pressure environment helped me build confidence. Starting to teach public speaking skills early can set youth up for future success in incredible ways.

That’s where New Hanover County 4-H comes in. We offer a fantastic opportunity for youth to begin developing public speaking skills early on through County Activity Day.

County Activity Day (CAD) is open to youth ages 5–18 and helps them get more comfortable with public speaking. So, what exactly is CAD? I’m glad you asked! It’s a day where youth give a short presentation on a topic of their choice in front of their peers and a panel of judges who provide helpful feedback to improve their skills.

We’ve had youth present on everything from their pets to how to make a sandwich—even on proper running form! The topic possibilities are endless. After CAD, participants can choose to compete at district and state-level competitions if they’d like.

It’s an amazing opportunity to start building confidence and communication skills early — and I truly wish I had something like it when I was younger.

The N.C. Cooperative Extension Center for New Hanover County is located at the Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive. The gardens are free and open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reach Alex at alex_eaker@ncsu.edu or 910-798-7660.