16 Student Speakers Compete

NEW TAMPA - With a deep breath and a pause to settle himself, Matthew Barroner stepped atop the wooden box behind the microphone and declared, "I'm proud to be an American."

The Ballast Point Elementary fourth-grader was the first presenter at this year's Hillsborough County 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking District Finals held recently at Wharton High School.

He expressed his love for his country, freedom and his hero, his father, who is in the military.

For an hour and a half, 16 well-dressed Hillsborough County elementary school students, the winners of five area public speaking competitions, stepped to the lectern to deliver speeches addressing issues ranging from the fresh water crisis to the joy of dance to a devilish Chihuahua. They spoke clearly, used hand gestures and tossed in the occasional quip, effectively drawing chuckles from the audience.

Anju Pradeep, a fourth-grader at Pride Elementary School, asked the crowd of more than 200 parents, teachers and supporters if they had heard of Bharatanatyam.

Few apparently were aware of the Indian dance of expression, melody and rhythm that Anju had performed at a recent festival.

Clay Joyner, a fourth-grader at Cork Elementary School near Plant City, tantalized the crowd with a presentation on the fowl parts and other ingredients used to make chicken nuggets.

"There is nothing like those crispy, golden nuggets dipped in sweet and sour sauce, or at least that's what I thought," Clay said before indulging in a clinical description of the battered, deep-fried entree.

Shanetika Anthony, a fifth-grader at Potter Elementary in East Tampa, drew in the audience with a quiet presentation about the emotional struggle she faces being separated from her father, who is serving time in prison. Shanetika, who hasn't seen her dad in 3 1/2 years, longs to hug him.

"My dad is a good person; he just made the wrong choice," Shanetika told the still audience.

Separate three-member selection committees chose Clay, 9, as the fourth-grade winner and Shanetika, 12, the winner among fifth-graders. All of the participants received plaques. The winners also were awarded an expense-paid trip to the 4-H summer camp at Ocala National Forest in June.

This marks the 38th year of the 4-H Tropicana public speaking contest. District finals are held in most of the state's 67 counties, Hillsborough County 4-H youth agent Jackie Hunter said.

About 16,000 fourth- and fifth-graders from 90 Hillsborough County elementary schools participated in this year's public speaking contest, Hunter said.

School-level contests began in January, followed by area competitions before wrapping up with district finals Feb. 26.

The competition aims to ease the students' fears of speaking in front of large crowds and help build self-esteem. The program also stresses the importance of students doing research on the issues they address.

"It fits in with FCAT and Florida Writes," Hunter said, adding that the competition helps students with writing skills.

SKILLFUL SPEAKERS

Hillsborough County 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking District Finals results:

FOURTH GRADE: Clay Joyner, Cork Elementary, first place; Lakeithia Lindsey, Booker T. Washington Elementary, second place; Anju Pradeep, Pride Elementary, third place; Haven Garcia, Westchase Elementary, honorable mention; and Matthew Barroner of Ballast Point, Matthew Harper of Woodbridge Elementary, Madison Jiminez of Clark Elementary and Kayla Watts of Cimino Elementary, finalists.

FIFTH GRADE: Shanetika Anthony, Potter Elementary, first place; Carly Knox, Walden Lake Elementary, second place; Devan Adhia, MacFarlane Park Elementary, third place; Jahar Jackson, Sheehy Elementary, honorable mention; and Brandon Carpio of Clark Elementary, Leah Dosal of Grady Elementary, Emma Napper of Gorrie Elementary and Tavia McMillen of Kingswood Elementary, finalists.