Gold Merit Award

Gold Merit Award

The purpose of this award is to reconize individual members of the TLBT for outstanding achievement with respect to their project (s) and their promotion of the Texas Longhorn breed. This award will be presented at the annual National Youth Show.

Selection Criteria:

A. All entries will be judged by an appointed committee.
B. All entrants must have participated in at least one affiliate-sponsored youth show.
C. All entrants must participate in both the public speaking contest and submit a project record book. Standard record book forms have been prepared and will be supplied to TLBT members upon request. All record books MUST use the new approved forms and MUST be placed in a colored folder (three-hole with brads).
D. All entries will be interviewed by the judging committee. Knowledge of the Texas Longhorn breed, familiarity with your project, ability to respond spontaneously, and sincerity of response will be important considerations.
E. Awards will be presented in the following age categories:

Division I Junior - up to 9 years as of January 1
Division II Intermediate - 10-12 years of age as of January 1
Division III Teen - 13-14 years of age as of January 1
Division IV Senior - 15-18 years of age as of January 1. The top age limit for the Senior Division will be 18 years or the year of graduation from high school.

I. Public Speaking Contest

This contest is a phase of the Gold Merit Award. The speech is to consist of a 3 to 8 minute presentation to the judging committee. Warnings will be given at 7 minutes and 7 1/2 minutes. Points will be deducted for speeches that exceed the required time limit. The topic must be related to Texas Longhorn Cattle. A copy of the speech is to be presented to the Gold Merit Award Committee Chairperson at check-in time. The speech should be memorized but note cards may be used by the contestant during the speech for reference. Visual aids may be used for the presentation. The emphasis should be on the subject matter of the talk. The visual aids should enhance rather than dominate the presentation. If charts or graphs are used as a part of the presentation, contestants should consider placing them on an easel and using a pointer when referring to them.

The criteria for judging includes:

Accuracy of subject matter
Delivery
Knowledge of the subject matter
Grammar
Length within time given in rules
Effective use of visual aids (optional)
Creativity

Judges will use a rating sheet and a point system to evaluate the speech and its presentation. Contestants will receive a copy of their ratings.

II. Interview

Each contestant will be interviewed by the three member judging committee at the conclusion of their speech.

The criteria for judging includes:

Spontaneity of response
Sincerity of response
Ability to answer questions concerning the subject matter of the speech
Knowledge of the Texas Longhorn breed
Familiarity with your project

III. Project Book

All contestants must submit a project book to the Gold Merit Award Committee Chairperson at time of check-in. The book must clearly reflect that it is the contestant’s own work. Contestants who can type are encouraged to do so. Otherwise, the record book should be completed in the contestant’s own handwriting. All record books must be completed on the new, standardized record book forms. These record book forms will be available through the TLBAA office and will be sent to any TLBT member upon request. The record book forms MUST be placed in a colored folder (three-hole brads). Additional pictures or drawings can be added as long as pages are kept in order. Remember this is a record book and should be easy for the judges to read required information. Points may be deducted if the book becomes to cluttered.

IV. All contestants are to dress in show-ring attire.

GOLD MERIT AWARD CONTEST AWARDS

Junior, Intermediate, and Teen Divisions will be awarded heifer calves to the top three places in each age group. Senior Division: It is desirous to offer the top three places in the Senior Division an option- - a gratuity or heifer calf. Seeking donations for such are in progress. Awards are subject to change depending on how many donors we have. If you know of someone that can donate, please contact Larry Barker at (817)625-6241 with their name and phone number.

V. The distribution of heifers to winners will be determined by a random drawing.

"Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America"

2315 N. Main Ste. 402, Fort Worth, TX 76106
PHONE (817) 625-6241 FAX (817) 625-1388
E-mail: tlbaa@tlbaa.org