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The Visual Presentation Category List

Visual Presentation Categories - ALL Cloverbud ages 5-7 are in the CB category

  1. Juniors Ages 8-13, present 3-10 minutes
  2. Novice Ages 8-18, present 3-10 minutes
  3. Seniors Ages 14-18, present 7-10 minutes
novice, junior, and senior VP26 Horse Breeding and Uses 

VP1 Food & Culinary Topics

VP27 Miscellaneous Horse Topics 
VP2 International Food VP28 HORSE RELATED TEAM; SENIORS ONLY *
VP3 Health/Nutrition/Personal Care  VP29 Veterinary Science 
VP4 Clothing & Textiles  VP30 Mechanical Science & Engineering 
VP5 Child Development  VP31 Computers/Technology/Robotics 
VP6 Consumer Education  VP32 Aerospace/Rocketry/Astronomy 
VP7 Natural Resources/Environment  VP33 General Science/Science Project 
VP8 Marine/Aquatic Life  VP34 STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) 
VP9 Wildlife  VP35 Entrepreneurship/Inventions 
VP10 Recycling/Conservation/Energy  VP36 Career Exploration 
VP11 Plant Science/Gardening/Entomology  VP37 Social Issues/Ethics
VP12 Dairy/Beef/Working Steer  VP38 Leadership/Citizenship/Community Service 
VP13 Sheep/Swine/Goats  VP39 History 
VP14 Rabbits/Cavies  VP40 Famous People 
VP15 Poultry/Embryology/Birds  VP41 Hobbies/Collections/Games 
VP16 Dog Training  VP42 Travel/Culture 
VP17 Dog Care  VP43 Team Sports 
VP18 Canine Sciences/Genetics  VP44 Individual Sports/Recreation/Fitness 
VP19 Dog Breeds/History  VP45 Safety 
VP20 Amphibians/Reptiles  VP46 Performing Arts/Entertainment 
VP21 Pets/Pet Care  VP47 Visual Arts/Fine Arts/Photography
VP22 Horse Care & Management  VP48 Crafts 
VP23 Horse Training  VP49 Literature & Written/Verbal Communication 
VP24 Horse Showing  VP50 Mythology/Folklore 
VP25 Horse Breeds/History  VP51 Storytelling 
*VP 28- Senior Horse Teams may have 10-15 minutes for presentation.  In addition, traditional posters or slides/power point is allowed.    VP52 Recorded Presentations- ALL topics, ALL ages 

Extemporaneous Speaking Category: Seniors ONLY (14-18)

  • ES1 Extemporaneous Speaking

Public Speaking Categories: Seniors ONLY (14-19)

  • PS1 Horse-Related Subject
  • PS2 Factual/Informational
  • PS3 Persuasive/Editorial
  • PS4 Motivational/Inspirational

IMPORTANT FOR 2023: All VP Programs will be held Virtually. Please follow instructions below. 

  • Each participant may enter in only one category.
  • 4-H Visual Presentation categories are divided into Four divisions (age determined Jan. 1): Cloverbuds, ages 5-7 Juniors, ages 8-13 Seniors, ages 14-18
  • NEW NOVICE CLASS, ages 8-18 for all first-year presenters
    • The novice class is for any youth who’s presenting for the first time in this 4-H contest.  
  • Cloverbuds may enter at the regional level; they may not participate at the state level. Cloverbuds receive participation awards only.  They are not evaluated competitively.
  • Pre-registration is required for each competition. At the regional competition, individuals will be selected to compete at Mass 4-H Visual Presentation Day, April 1, 2023. Youth selected for state competition will be notified by their 4-H Educator. The 4-H Educator will register those selected for Mass 4-H Visual Presentation Day
  • PowerPoint/Google Slides  
  • Weapons, live animals, lighters/matches/fire are not allowed to be used or shown in VP’s. When in doubt, ask your Educator.
  • Audience participation (including parents) and/or coaching from the audience is prohibited. This includes anyone in a virtual location where the 4-H member is presenting.
  • Use of any projection or video clips is allowed in short increments. Credit for the source for the clips must be noted.
  • Recorded Category: A “Live” recording of a visual presentation can be entered into the recorded category.  This is for all ages and all topics.  A drop box account will be set up for submissions to be entered and viewed by judge’s during the regularly scheduled presentation dates.  

4-H PRESENTATION TRAINING: 

  • Thursday, January 12 at 6:30 PM
  • Recording Available: www.mass4h.org  

HELPFUL INFORMATION

  • Note cards are allowed but participants should not read their presentations.
  • If you plan to present using posters, you will need a table or flat surface as well as an easel or another item that will prop up your posters. Be sure to have all the items you need for your presentation.
  • Practice before giving your VP remotely. You may have someone take a video of you presenting if possible and review your presentation in order to make improvements prior to the VP event. 

JUDGING AND JUDGES

Judging sheets and terminology have been updated for 2023.  The basics of public speaking and giving a good 4-H presentation/demonstration are the same.  We have updated judging materials to help our youth and judges better understand the 4-H Danish system and how we evaluate youth for this and other contests. In the Danish system, each presentation is judged on its own merit using the set of criteria given.

Each presentation is awarded either a blue (excellent), red (very good) or white (good) award.  All presenters receive feedback from the judges. This feedback is intended to assist the member to improve future presentations.

At State Visual Presentation Day, those awarded a blue Danish are considered together to determine who will receive a rosette. First place (blue) and second place (red) rosettes may be presented in every category. Danish ribbons are presented as well. Judges will be provided with training, judging criteria and evaluation sheets. As with any judged activity, each judge may view presentations in their own unique way that may be different from the presenter's.