The Columbia Press 4 March 18, 2022 4H members learn to pitch the perfect product plan For the past few weeks, lo- cal 4-H members have been preparing speeches and prac- ticing delivering information on a variety of subjects. Public speaking skills are ranked No. 1 among the de- sired skill sets of profession- als, the organization says. Every 4-H member is encour- aged to give a presentation each year, which can include audio-visual aids, a demon- stration, or problem-solving. Through their presenta- tions, members learn to re- search a subject, organize their thoughts into a logical order, and practice public speaking. For the local members, the big day came March 7, at the 4-H Presentations Competi- tion. One by one, they spoke in front of a judge, parents and other members. Those in grades four to six talked for three to 10 minutes, while older grades spoke for 10 to 15 minutes. Members also gave impromptu speech- es in which they received a topic, planned for a few min- utes and presented. Winners were Amelia Hock- ett, Junior Illustrated Talk Champion; Joyana Belling- ham, Junior Illustrated Talk Reserve Champion, Junior Impromptu Speech Champi- on, and Overall Junior Divi- sion Champion. Katrina Phillips was named Intermediate Impromptu Champion and Titus Cano was named Intermediate Impromptu Reserve Champion. Matthew Cano won the Se- nior Demonstration Champi- on competition. For more infor- mation about 4-H membership or 4-H leadership, call the Clatsop County Ex- tension office at 503- 325-8573. Amelia Hockett pitch- es dog care on 4-H Presentation Night. Jobs: School adds manufacturing to its offerings Continued from Page 1 also help provide academ- ic credits that meet state graduation requirements and career-related learning experiences. The campus CTE pro- gram also has received pledges from the Warren- ton Schools Foundation and Hampton Mill, which pledged $15,000 per year for the next four years. “It’s really exciting,” Hey- en said. “We can offer some new stuff and expand pro- grams. We’ve got some good things going on.” Financial awards totaling $7.32 million will go to 148 Oregon middle schools and high schools, according to a joint announcement March 11 by Oregon Department of Education Director Colt Gill and Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle. “It’s been just great to see schools and students em- The students’ experimental bridge spans the gap between two workbenches. brace these opportunities to learn real-world, hands-on skills they will carry into the future,” Labor Commission- er Val Hoyle said. “It’s im- portant that all students, no matter where they live, get to experience unique CTE op- portunities. There is no one way students learn or one path to success.” The state’s schools have been focusing more on work experience and the technical trades in the past decade. It’s an acknowledg- ment that most high school- ers won’t move on to col- lege, that the trades labor pool needs boosting, and that some students need programs more aligned with their career interests. Students who pass CTE courses graduate at higher rates when compared to the general student population. Student populations concen- trating on CTE courses grad- uated at a 92.9 percent rate, 12.3 percentage points high- er than the state as a whole, according to ODE’s 2020-21 school year figures. “Now more than ever, help- ing students prepare for the shift to college, career, and beyond is critical,” Gill said. “It is exciting to see the ex- pansion of critical programs that align to high-need and high-wage opportunities. We’ve seen the power of CTE to support learner success and economic vitality, and we’re ready for more.” In making the awards, the grant committee prioritized applications based on geo- graphic diversity, community partnerships and programs that lead to high-wage, in-de- mand occupations, especially for historically and currently marginalized students.