Rules
Theme: “Home is Where the Habitat is”
RULES
For a complete list of rules and/or updates, please contact us at (352) 438-2478
- Open to any student in Marion County in grades 6 through 12.
- Contestants may speak on any subject related to the topic.
- Contestants must pre-register by submitting four (4) typewritten copies of their speech, double-spaced on 8 ½ by 11-inch white bond paper, to the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District office at the address below.
- Each speech must include one (1) cover page with the student’s name, address, telephone number, grade, school, and teacher’s name.
- Late submissions will be penalized with a 5-point deduction for each day the manuscript is late after the due date.
- Contestants may use notes during their speech, but visual aids are not allowed.
- The time limit for speeches is 5 to 7 minutes. Penalties will be applied for speeches shorter than 5 minutes or longer than 7 minutes.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Three competent and impartial judges will be selected. Judges' decisions are final. The judges will evaluate both the written speech and oral presentation based on the following criteria:
- Content 50%
- Delivery 40%
- Composition 10%
AWARDS
Awards will be given to the top three contestants:
- 1st Place: $150
- 2nd Place: $125
- 3rd Place: $100
- All Non-winners: $25 for participation
Overall winner advances to regionals, competing at the Area Meeting (Area Meeting: Location; Date; Time: TBD)
DEADLINES
Manuscripts must be (e)mailed or hand-delivered no later than: December 13,2024- 4 p.m.
Presentation Date: January 11,2025
Location: Green Clover Hall
Time: TBD
Mailed entries must be postmarked on or before the due date. The District is not responsible for submissions lost in the (e)mail.
Marion Soil and Water Conservation District
2710 East Silver Springs Blvd; Ocala, FL 34470
For additional information, contact MSWCD at (352)438-2478 or Stefani.Duarte@MarionFL.org
Participation earns points toward the Youth Conservationist of the Year Award