Two Riceville Elementary students earned top honors at the 4-H Public Speaking Contest held during the Tennessee State Fair in Nashville on Friday, August 14, 2026, capping a season of standout performances on the public speaking stage.
Annie Roberts competed in the junior division for fourth and fifth graders, winning at the class, district, and regional levels to earn her spot at the state competition.
Belle competed in the middle division for sixth through eighth graders, earning second place of 33 competitors.
Public speaking through 4-H helps students build confidence, organize their ideas, and communicate clearly in front of an audience—skills that serve them well long after the contest is over. Congratulations to Annie and Belle for their hard work making Riceville Elementary and McMinn County Schools proud.