4-H Impact Highlight
Colorado 4-H Youth Development
4-H Member’s Speech Wins National Recognition
While preparing a speech about self-confidence for the 2026 Western National Roundup Alix Maule drew on her years of experiences and leadership in Colorado 4-H to craft her message about her well-earned confidence. She didn’t expect the – admittedly ironic – moments of self-doubt to be part of the writing process.
“Even though my speech was about how I’ve grown as a leader and become more confident, while writing it I found myself slipping back into the mindset of the shy, nervous kid I used to be,” she said. “I questioned whether people would relate to my story and if my message was meaningful enough.”
Spoiler alert: the message resonated. At the 2026 Western National Roundup in January, the 16-year-old junior at Eagle Valley High School earned a Top 10 finish in the Prepared Speech event, placing eighth among competitors from across the country.
Roundup is in Denver each January, in the days leading up to the National Western Stock Show. Qualifying competitors like Alix earn their way to the national competition through a series of local, regional and state contests.
It All Started With a Rabbit
The message of Alix’s speech combined country music lyrics with the lessons she has learned during ten years of participating in Eagle County Extension 4-H Youth Development. It started with wanting a dog, but instead getting a 4-H rabbit she named Stormy.
“I was shy, quiet, and clung to my big sister, Sam, anytime we’d interact with anyone. And what I wanted more than anything was a dog. But instead, my mom said, how about a rabbit if I joined the 4-H rabbit club to learn to take care of it. I didn’t know what 4-H was. Honestly, I didn’t care. But looking back, that moment changed everything.”
In the speech she describes how showing Stormy the rabbit – substitute for a dog – led to confidence-building public speaking, leadership positions in her Eagle County 4-H club, a successful campaign for District Treasurer, and now serving as State 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador.
“I shoot. I raise rabbits. I raise ducks. And I still don’t have that dog. But if you had told the little girl, the one crying over a route scratch, that she’d be a leader in state 4-H someday, she wouldn’t have believed you. But here I am.”
Woven throughout the seven-minute presentation is Alix’s gratitude to her 4-H mentor named Randy, and the satisfaction she now gets being a mentor herself, helping younger 4-H’ers the way Randy helped her.
Youth Development From the Parent’s-Eye-View
“Alix is a different person since becoming involved in 4-H,” said Stacey Maule, Alix’s mother, who also serves as a local 4-H volunteer leader. “As her parent this is an unbelievably dramatic transformation.”
“While she is my daughter and I love hearing her story, it is not unique. As a leader and adult in Eagle County 4-H, I have seen this transformation in so many of our kids. As they grow in 4-H they become these amazing, confident, kind, and outgoing young adults.”
Preparing Sheds New Light
For Alix, the process of writing a speech to let other people understand who she is and how she’s changed through 4-H, also helped her understand herself.
“I’ve always known that I’ve changed over time, and my speech reflects that, but I didn’t fully understand the extent of that growth until I stood confidently in front of the audience and delivered my speech,” Alix said, explaining the realization that came as she went through the process of preparing for the national competition.
“I’m not only more confident, but also a much stronger speaker than I once was.”
“All we need is the chance. and the courage to take it. So, me, I’m not done dreaming. I’m not done leading. I’m just getting started.”
After years of experiencing the real results of 4-H youth development, the seven minutes in front of the national judges was much more than just another contest.
“Roundup wasn’t just another competition — it was proof of the confidence, leadership, and skills I’ve developed through 4-H,” Alix Maule said. Confidently.
Colorado 4-H Youth Development celebrates the stories of impact 4-H has on lives across our communities and state. Thank you to our youth leaders, volunteers, and all the families and supporters who champion them. To learn more and find your place in Colorado 4-H, visit https://co4h.colostate.edu/.