A Nanoose Bay teenager is off to Toronto for a national public speaking competition in November, after placing first at the provincial level.
Janel van Dongen took home first prize at the Provincial 4-H Communication Finals in the impromptu speech category in Langley in July.
The entrants had just 40 minutes to prepare their speeches, van Dongen said.
“Sometimes it feels like time is just creeping by and other times it feels like you look up at the clock and you’re thinking ‘oh my word, I don’t have much time left,’” she said.
Judges selected van Dongen for her speech about how a Langley-area cranberry farm incorporated agro tourism into its business plan, which included an opportunity for tourists to check out the harvesting process and wade into the cranberry bog.
Her group visited three farms in the area the day before the competition and the cranberry farm inspired part of her four-minute speech.
Van Dongen said she was nervous in the minutes leading up to her speech, but once she started she was able to enjoy herself.
“My heart was definitely racing and it’s an interesting experience,” she said. “What’s key is trying to be present and using those emotions to lift us up and to help us become sharper and find our edge.”
One aspect that resonated with the judges was when van Dongen related a story about a family cookie recipe and it connected it to her topic. Adding her personal experience is something she enjoys about public speaking, she said.
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She has entered public speaking competitions before, but this was the first time she has won at the provincial level.
Van Dongen is excited to participate in the Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture, part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on Nov. 5. She will be the only delegate from 4-H B.C.
The entrants will be able to choose from a list of agriculture-related topics and write their speeches ahead of time, which will take some of the pressure off.
“It’s a really awesome opportunity, I’m super excited for it,” van Dongen said.
The goal of the 4-H program is youth development and its main objectives are knowledge, leadership, citizenship and personal development.
There are many agricultural and non-agricultural pursuits available at local clubs, such as the one in Parksville Qualicum Beach, which include photography, gardening, sewing projects and dog agility.
Anyone aged nine to 19 can sign up for 4-H and there is a Cloverbud program for children ages six to eight.
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