FARMINGTON  — University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H in Franklin County was represented by 10 participants at the State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament on April 7 at UMaine in Orono

Fifty-seven 4-H members from throughout the state competed in categories, demonstrations and illustrated talks, which were then scored by a three-judge panel. The 4-H public speaking program reported the highest number of participants in three years.

Several Franklin County 4-H members received a top score of 115 and each member earned a blue ribbon for his or her illustrated talk. Mackenzie Jones and Caleb Mulcahy each earned one of 10 available spots on the Eastern States Exposition (ESE) communication science team; Hannah Mulcahy earned the spot of first alternate.

In September, the team will compete at the ESE in Springfield, Massachusetts.

For more information about UMaine Extension 4-H, including how to enroll, contact Tara Marble, 207-778-4650; 800-287-1478 (in Maine); or tara.marble@maine.edu. More information also is available online.

Members of Franklin County 4-H who participated in the state tournament are, back, Andrew Dexter, Mackenzy Labrie, Allison Blauvelt, Noah Mulcahy, Faith Dexter; front, Hannah Mulcahy, Joshua Mulcahy, Bradley Smith. Not pictured are Mackenzie Jones and Caleb Mulcahy. All members are part of the Doe-C-Doe Dairy Goat Club. Joshua Mulcahy is also a member of the Franklin County Circuit Hackers 4-H Club; Bradley Smith is also a member of the Dairy 4-H Club.