By Amy-Lynn Albertson

Rowan Cooperative Extension

Public speaking is the number one fear of adults. And kids don’t care for it either.

But we know it is important, and sometimes even necessary in our daily lives. At work, in church or just at our local PTO meeting, there is a chance we will need to stand up and let the world hear what we have to say.

Starting Monday, Feb. 19, Rowan County 4-H is partnering with Barton and Kane Consolidated to present “Speak Up!”

Speak Up is a public speaking program developed for young people to develop self-confidence, communication and presentation skills. The program will be offered on Monday evenings, Feb. 19 through March 19, 4-5:15 p.m., and 5:30-6:45 p.m. The cost for this program is $20.

This is a hands-on opportunity for youth ages 7-17 to organize, write and present speeches. We will help them ease their nerves and they will be asked to prepare and present speeches.

To learn more about this program, please call Rowan County Extension Center at 704-216-8970 or register online at go.ncsu.edu/SpeakUpRowan

Studies show over and over again that the lack of public speaking skills can inhibit a person’s growth in the business world. Although we may dread those presentations in meetings, we need to work to get our youth to think positively about public speaking. If youth start sharpening those skills now, they will learn to tolerate, maybe even enjoy, public speaking.