Level 1 Local School Speech Contest

Presentation script for emcee

This may be used by the emcee of the Level 1 Local School Speech Contest. The emcee may or may not be a
local representative of Modern Woodmen.

If the emcee is a Modern Woodmen representative:

Welcome to this Modern Woodmen of America School Speech Contest. It is a pleasure to see so many of
you here! My name is _______________________________________ , and I am a local Modern Woodmen
representative. I will be the emcee for this event.

If not:

Welcome to this Modern Woodmen of America School Speech Contest. It is a pleasure to see so many of
you here! My name is _________________________________________ and I will be the emcee for this
event.

The School Speech Contest began in 1948 as a community service of Modern Woodmen of America,
a member-owned fraternal financial services organization. Through the years, the contest has become
an important event in many schools in the U.S.; thousands of students participate each year at the local
level. These contests provide students the opportunity to research topics and help them develop skills in
organizing materials, clear thinking and public speaking.

Along with the School Speech Contest, Modern Woodmen offers other Youth Educational Programs, free
of charge, to schools, civic groups, youth clubs and service organizations. Modern Woodmen also offers
financial services and family-oriented programs and benefits to help members and their communities
across the nation.

In a few minutes, we will hear the students’ speeches on this year’s topic: __________________________
______________________________ . The speeches will be no less than three minutes nor more than five
minutes and will be in the students' own words. Each contestant will be judged on organization of
material, delivery and presentation, and the speechs’ overall effectiveness. This judging will be done
objectively, based solely on the merits of the speech itself, as specified in the Judges’ Rating Sheet,
regardless of the contestant’s race, gender, age and other factors irrelevant to the quality of the speech.
No prompting from the audience will be allowed.

Form 632 (8-13)

The students have drawn numbers to determine the order in which they will give their speeches. When
a student’s number is called, he or she will come forward and may begin when ready. After the speech
is given, the judges will have five minutes to complete their rating sheets. I will then call the next number
in order.

We also ask that no photos be taken or recording be done during the individual speeches. Please turn off
your cell phones and pagers, or switch them to silent mode. Please hold your applause until all the
speeches have been given.

The protest procedure will be as follows:

Any protest with the procedures of the speech contest must be made immediately in writing to the emcee
before the next contestant begins his or her speech. Protests that are received after the next contestant
has presented and/or after the judges have retired for deliberation will not be considered under any
circumstances. The mutual decision of the contest organizer and judges is final and no higher appeals
will be recognized.

Allow me to introduce our judges for today’s competition: _____________________________________ ,

We will now begin the speeches. Will Contestant No. 1 please come forward?

After each contestant has finished, allow the judges five minutes to complete their judging, then call the
next student in numerical order.

When all the contestants are finished and the judges have completed their forms, indicate to the audience
that they may give the students a round of applause:

Let’s give all of our contestants a round of applause for their accomplishments!

The timer will then take the judges to the deliberation room.

While the judges are deliberating, why don’t we take a short break?
When it is time to announce the winners and present the awards, have the students line up in numerical
order.

Will our participants please come forward and line up in numerical order for the awards ceremony?
Anyone that would like to take pictures or make a recording at this point, please feel free to do so.

The top three winners’ names will be engraved on the school’s speech contest plaque, and each will
receive an individual trophy and a gold award pin, all courtesy of Modern Woodmen. Award pins will also
be given to the top-ranking finalists. Each of the contestants will receive participation certificates
because all these kids are winners. Let’s give all of them another round of applause!

The emcee will announce the winners and help award the prizes. Ask each student, in turn, to give his/her
name and grade. Each student will then receive his/her designated prize. Photos may be taken or recording
done, after which there will be another round of applause.

Before we dismiss these students, let’s give them another round of applause!

I would like to thank you for attending this Modern Woodmen School Speech Contest. The students
worked very hard on their speeches, and it’s wonderful to see the support and encouragement they have
received from you in the audience. Thank you for your attention and have a safe drive home.