1. This contest is open to all high school students, grades 9 through 12.
   1. Entrants must be residents of the State of Kansas
   2. All previous first place state winners in this contest are ineligible.
   3. Entrants may compete in the contest conducted by the conservation district where they attend school. Entrants may participate in only one DISTRICT CONTEST.

      The Shawnee County District's contest will be held September 24, 2001.

   4. Contestants who win a district contest during their senior year are eligible to continue competition in the fall.
   
   
2. District winners will be expected to compete in the area contest. If the winner cannot advance, the alternate is expected to compete.
   
3. Area winners will be expected to compete in the state contest. This contest will be held at the Youth Committee meeting during the KACD Annual Convention at the latter part of November in Wichita, Kansas.
   
4. Order of participation will be determined by the drawing of numbers.
   
5. The speeches given by contestants must be at least five (5) minutes long and not longer than eight (8) minutes. Failure to meet the time requirements will result in a penalty of deducting (1) point for each 10 seconds over 8 minutes or under 5 minutes being assessed by the judges scoring the speeches. An official timekeeper will be designated for the contest. Time cards will be used.
   
6. Contestants are to remain outside the room until their turn to speak.
   
7. Contestants will be permitted to use notes if the notes are on 3" x 5" cards.
   
8. Speeches will be judged on originality, aptness of thought, accuracy of information, and the manner in which they are delivered. The judges may converse with the contestants after the speech, if necessary.
   

   Scoring goes as follows:
   
   CONTENT (50 points)
   Appropriate
   Timely
   Accurate
   Original
   Specifics

   ORGANIZATION OF MATERIALS (25 points)
   Introduction
   Logical Sequence
   Unity of Thoughts
   Conclusions
   Written Outline
   

   PRESENTATION (25 points)
   Voice
   Poise
   Expression
   Persuasion
   Personal Appearance
   

               ______________________
             (100 Total Possible Points) ***
   
                          
   TIME
   ***Deduct 1 point for each 10 seconds over 8 minutes or under 5 minutes.
   

9. In all contests, a sentence outline of the speech must be presented to the judges. Contestants are encouraged to include a brief bibliography with their outline.
   (3 COPIES)

WHEN

For residence in Shawnee county, the Shawnee County Conservation District's contest will be held Monday, September 24, 2001, 7:00 p.m., at the Shawnee County Farm Bureau Building, 3801 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, KS 66610

RESOURCE INFORMATION

The Shawnee County Conservation District has an abundant supply of educational material for researching topics. Feel free to call (785) 267-5721 or stop in Monday - Thurday 7:30 - 4:30, Fridays 7:30 - 3:30 at 3231 SW Van Buren St., Suite 2. Also, this website has material and pictures that would be useful.

CONTEST AWARDS

The Shawnee County Conservation District will award a $100.00 prize for first place at it's local contest. Winner at the district's local contest must compete in the NE Kansas Area IV contest. Certificates or plaques will be awarded on the area level. Winner at the NE Kansas Area IV contest will compete at the state competition in November during the KACD annual Convention. Scholarships of $500 for first place and $250 for second place will be awarded to the winners at the state level. Payment will be made to the winner upon proof of enrollment at an accredited school or training institution of the winner's choice. Scholarships must be used within four years of graduation from high school.

The Speech Contest is sponsored by the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts and your local Shawnee County Conservation District.

The KACD Auxiliary will present some monies for expenses to the State contest.

Contact the Shawnee Conservation District office to enter the contest.