Heather Haines, 4-H Agent, UGA Extension Forsyth County
Imagine being told you have to grab a microphone and give a big presentation tomorrow morning. Your heart starts to race. Your palms get sweaty. You feel nervous just thinking about it. You are not alone. About three out of four people feel some fear when they have to speak in front of others.
Public speaking can be scary, but it does not have to stay that way. Just like sports or music, the more you practice, the better you get. Practice helps turn nerves into confidence and helps speakers feel proud of their voice.
Learning how to speak clearly and confidently is one of the most important skills young people can build. No matter what job they want, such as scientist, teacher, engineer, or leader, being able to share ideas out loud in front of others is an important skill. Employers look for people who can speak up, explain their thoughts, and work well with others.
That is where 4-H Project Achievement comes in. This program gives Georgia youth a fun and supportive place to step up to the mic. Participants learn how to organize their ideas, practice speaking, and build confidence along the way. Each presentation helps youth cultivate public speaking skills they can take with them as they grow.
Public speaking can feel especially hard for kids, but Project Achievement makes it exciting. Youth are encouraged to choose topics they are passionate about and share them in creative ways. Parents and teachers often see big changes in the students who participate in this program. Shy students start raising their hands, speaking in front of groups, and taking on leadership roles at school and in the community.
In Forsyth County, younger students in 4th through 6th grade begin their journey at County Project Achievement, also called CPA. Participants pick a topic they love, research it, write a speech, and present it using posters and props. With more than 50 project areas to choose from, ranging from Animals and Wildlife to Sports, History, and Science, there is a category for every interest.
CPA will be held at the Forsyth County Extension Office on January 20, 2026 beginning at 5PM. The registration fee is $20 and preregistration is required. Top presenters will move on to the district competition in February, where they will compete against youth from across North Georgia.
Older youth in grades 7 through 12 step up to a bigger stage through Junior and Senior Project Achievement. They create a portfolio that shows their leadership, service, and accomplishments. This portfolio also teaches résumé writing skills they can use later in life. After that, they deliver an oral presentation judged by experts in the project area that they chose. For example, environmental projects are often judged by University of Georgia faculty members and graduate students who specialize in the content area.
For Senior 4-H members in grades 9 through 12, earning first place at the district level leads to State 4-H Congress in July. There, they compete against youth from across Georgia to become a Master 4-H member in their project area.
Whether speaking on stage, in class, or in a future job interview, learning to speak in front of others builds confidence that lasts a lifetime. Through 4-H Project Achievement, youth learn to speak up, stand tall, and share their voice with the world.