Special to Lake Okeechobee News
OKEECHOBEE — The UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development announces the winners of the 2026 4-H Public Speaking Contest, held on May 20 at the Okeechobee Civic Center.
![Left to right: Paula Daniel, 4-H Agent; 1st – JT Gagliano “The New York Yankees” North Elementary School; 2nd - Genevieve Rhodes “Going to the World Equestrian Center” South Elementary School; 3rd – Ben Hoglo “Best Vacation Ever” Rock Solid Christian Academy; and FPL sponsor representative and event judge, Caroline Reese. [Photo courtesy UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development]](https://eta.creativecirclecdn.com/scfl/large/20260522-143709-5bc-4-H%20PS%204TH%20GRADE%202026.jpg)
Left to right: Paula Daniel, 4-H Agent; 1st – JT Gagliano “The New York Yankees” North Elementary School; 2nd - Genevieve Rhodes “Going to the World Equestrian Center” South Elementary School; 3rd – Ben Hoglo “Best Vacation Ever” Rock Solid Christian Academy; and FPL sponsor representative and event judge, Caroline Reese. [Photo courtesy UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development]
4th grade winners:
• 1st place – JT Gagliano - “The New York Yankees” - North Elementary School;
• 2nd place - Genevieve Rhodes - “Going to the World Equestrian Center” - South Elementary School;
• 3rd place – Ben Hoglo - “Best Vacation Ever” - Rock Solid Christian Academy.
![Left to right: Paula Daniel, 4-H Agent; 1st – Riley Williams - “My First Showing Experience” - Rock Solid Christian Academy; 2nd – Kylen Menendez - “Convincing My Dad to Buy Me A Highland Cow” - South Elementary School; 3rd – Sadie Stinson – “The OYLS Lifestyle” North Elementary School; and FPL sponsor representative and event judge, Caroline Reese. [Photo courtesy UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development]](https://eta.creativecirclecdn.com/scfl/large/20260522-143745-427-4-H%20PS%205TH%20GRADE%202026.jpg)
Left to right: Paula Daniel, 4-H Agent; 1st – Riley Williams - “My First Showing Experience” - Rock Solid Christian Academy; 2nd – Kylen Menendez - “Convincing My Dad to Buy Me A Highland Cow” - South Elementary School; 3rd – Sadie Stinson – “The OYLS Lifestyle” North Elementary School; and FPL sponsor representative and event judge, Caroline Reese. [Photo courtesy UF/IFAS …
5th grade winners
• 1st place – Riley Williams - “My First Showing Experience” - Rock Solid Christian Academy;
• 2nd place – Kylen Menendez - “Convincing My Dad to Buy Me A Highland Cow” - South Elementary School;
• 3rd place – Sadie Stinson – “The OYLS Lifestyle” North Elementary School.
![Left to right: Paula Daniel, 4-H Agent; 1st – Annie Neener - “Confetti of Change” - Okeechobee Christian Academy; 2nd – Cassie Palmer - “Saturdays” - Rock Solid Christian Academy; 3rd – Gabrielle Brown - “Saving Marine Life” - Yearling Middle School; and FPL sponsor representative and event judge, Caroline Reese. [Photo courtesy UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development]](https://eta.creativecirclecdn.com/scfl/large/20260522-143825-76e-4-H%20PS%206TH%20GRADE%202026.jpg)
Left to right: Paula Daniel, 4-H Agent; 1st – Annie Neener - “Confetti of Change” - Okeechobee Christian Academy; 2nd – Cassie Palmer - “Saturdays” - Rock Solid Christian Academy; 3rd – Gabrielle Brown - “Saving Marine Life” - Yearling Middle School; and FPL sponsor representative and event judge, Caroline Reese. [Photo courtesy UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development]
6th grade winners
• 1st place – Annie Neener “Confetti of Change” - Okeechobee Christian Academy;
• 2nd place – Cassie Palmer “Saturdays” - Rock Solid Christian Academy;
• 3rd place – Gabrielle Brown “Saving Marine Life” - Yearling Middle School.
![Left to right: Paula Daniel, 4-H Agent; 1st – JT Gagliano “The New York Yankees” North Elementary School; 2nd - Genevieve Rhodes “Going to the World Equestrian Center” South Elementary School; 3rd – Ben Hoglo “Best Vacation Ever” Rock Solid Christian Academy; and FPL sponsor representative and event judge, Caroline Reese. [Photo courtesy UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development]](https://eta.creativecirclecdn.com/scfl/original/20260522-143709-5bc-4-H%20PS%204TH%20GRADE%202026.jpg)
![Left to right: Paula Daniel, 4-H Agent; 1st – Riley Williams - “My First Showing Experience” - Rock Solid Christian Academy; 2nd – Kylen Menendez - “Convincing My Dad to Buy Me A Highland Cow” - South Elementary School; 3rd – Sadie Stinson – “The OYLS Lifestyle” North Elementary School; and FPL sponsor representative and event judge, Caroline Reese. [Photo courtesy UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development]](https://eta.creativecirclecdn.com/scfl/original/20260522-143745-427-4-H%20PS%205TH%20GRADE%202026.jpg)
![Left to right: Paula Daniel, 4-H Agent; 1st – Annie Neener - “Confetti of Change” - Okeechobee Christian Academy; 2nd – Cassie Palmer - “Saturdays” - Rock Solid Christian Academy; 3rd – Gabrielle Brown - “Saving Marine Life” - Yearling Middle School; and FPL sponsor representative and event judge, Caroline Reese. [Photo courtesy UF/IFAS Extension 4-H Youth Development]](https://eta.creativecirclecdn.com/scfl/original/20260522-143825-76e-4-H%20PS%206TH%20GRADE%202026.jpg)
