Sixty 4-H members competed in the 2025 Sussex County 4-H Public Speaking Contest on Jan. 25.

Top award winners included:

• Beginner I (8-9 year old) Division: Macie Richard (Laurel), Bridgeville Mustags, “Butterflies”
• Beginner II (10-11 year old): Julia Freebery (Lewes), Hollymount, “Wild World of Bears”
• Junior Division (12-13 year old): Liam Probert (Millsboro), Sunset Branch, “Campfires and Confidence: The Power of Outdoor Adventures for Teens”
• Senior Division (14-19 year old): Carter Bradley (Laurel), Dublin Hill, “It’s OK Not to be OK”
• Extemporaneous Division (14-19 year old): Kieran Probert (Millsboro), Sunset Branch

Other ribbon winners were:                               

• Cloverbud: Israel Adams, Jacob Bradshaw, Eamer Carey, Juliette Coverdale, Evelyn Denham, Micah Denham, Kyle Martin, Macklyn Muzik, Jeffrey O’Day, Lucas Perry, Kennedy Stalcup, Thomas Stearn, and Klaira Wing
• Beginner I Division (8–9-Year-Old): Kyree Bordley, West Choi, Isabelle Hein, Caroline Krajewski, Ethan Martin, Jeremy Messick, Kinsley Muzik, Sa’Ryan Petion, Grace Schifano, Peyton Stalcup, Catherine Stearn, and Eli Wing
• Beginner II Division (10–11-Year-Old): Claira Adams, Ryder Bradshaw, Wren Choi, Willow Cohan, Ella Crockett, Lillian Hein, Kaylee Martin, Jane Mavity, Sarah Melvin, Raegan O’Day, and Nolan Perry
• Junior Division (12–13-Year-Old): Briahna Adams, Alex Mavity, Gavin Szczur, and Daniel Wisniewski
• Senior Division (14 and Older): Linda Adams, Rainna Adams, Juliette Anger, Alexis Blair, Claire Denham, Joel Denham, Addison Freebery, Logan Jackson, Megan Krajewski, Caydance Means, Brooke Messick, Kylee Reynolds, and Andrew Wisniewski
• Extemporaneous Division (14 and Older): Lillie Bradley and Addison Freebery