Pinewood Fifth and Sixth Graders Compete at Cloverleaf DPA

On Saturday, September 21, Cloverleaf 4-Hers from Pinewood Christian Academy (PCA) competed at Cloverleaf District Project Achievement (DPA) in Lyons. Smith Dekle won first place in the Sport project; Elizabeth O’Brien won second place in the Health project; Anna Sollosi won second in the Performing Arts Vocal project; Julia Hethcox won third in the Performing Arts General project; and Payton Hodges was awarded “Honorable Mention” in the Performing Arts General project.

Cloverleaf DPA is a speech and presentation competition for fourth through sixth students, held in Lyons each year. In order to compete, students prepare a five minute speech with visual aids over a topic of their choice- topics can vary from dog care to food safety to sports. Two judges grade each student’s oral presentation on use of visual aids, clarity of speech, coverage of chosen topic, and tidiness of dress and visual aids. A first, second, third and honorable mention is then awards to the students with the highest combined scores. For students in Performing Arts, to compete at DPA they do not use a speech or presentation; instead, a performance of four to five minutes is given. Performing Arts varies from widely as well, with categories including singing, dancing, and instrumental.

Each student who went to Cloverleaf DPA showed courage in conquering his fears of public speaking to do his best. The skills the 4-Hers have learned from this experience will help each of them throughout their lives and school careers.

By Miranda DeLoach