- May 23, 2025
Saahil, Macy, Kim and Minesh Baxi, with speech winners Kennedy McMillan, Connor Barton, Caroline Patin and Lilian Graifer, and Flagler County Education Foundation's Madison Asbill. Photo by Brian McMillan
4-H speech contestants Kennedy McMillan, Connor Barton and S’riyah Smith, with Hope Musgrove. Photo by Brian McMillan
4-H speech contestants S’riyah Smith, Connor Barton, Kennedy McMillan, Caroline Patin and Lilian Graifer. Photo by Brian McMillan
How annoying are Kennedy McMillan’s brothers? Very, according to her speech.
Kennedy, a fifth grader, was the Flagler County winner of the Florida 4-H Public Speaking contest, held April 29, at the Emergency Operations Center. Although her brothers sometimes tell bad jokes and follow her around, they also play with her and buy her chocolate, so it’s not all bad, she said in her speech.
McMillan, of Ms. Fajardo’s class at Belle Terre Elementary School, was one of five contestants of the countywide competition. Each of the following won his or her school’s competition earlier this month, to qualify:
Connor Barton, of Mrs. Lambert’s fifth grade class, represented Bunnell Elementary and finished second for his speech on eating bugs;
S’riyah Smith, of Ms. Baldwin’s fourth grade class, represented Rymfire Elementary and finished third for her speech on her rambunctious pet dogs;
Lilian Graifer, of Mrs. Foster’s fifth grade class, represented Old Kings Elementary and finished fourth for her speech on the Party Animals baseball team;
and Caroline Patin, of Mr. Ludecker’s fifth grade class, represented Wadsworth Elementary and finished fifth for her speech on competitive cheerleading.
The contest was administered by 4-H Extension Agent Hope Musgrove and Director Laura Valencia. Judges were Valencia, Flagler Schools Teaching and Learning Specialist Kristin Frank, and Flagler County Commissioner Andy Dance.
Facilitated by the Flagler County Education Foundation's Madison Asbill, the winners also were given a share of $300 in monetary prizes by FreeSmartWebsites.com. Company representatives were Macy Baxi, a TEDx speaker; and Saahil Baxi, who has also been invited to speak at a TEDx event. Their parents, Minesh and Kim Baxi, also attended. The family is organizing a TEDx event in Lake Mary in November.
Editor's Note: Kennedy's parents, Hailey and Brian, are owners of the Observer.
