Commissioners Murphy and Taylor attend the Public Speaking Contest.

May 31, 2026

Key Takeaways

  • St. Johns County supports local 4-H programs.
  • Building community trust is a priority of the County’s strategic plan.
  • The speaking contest was sponsored by FPL.

In April 2027, St. Johns Board of County Commissioners Clay Murphy and Ann Taylor attended the annual 4-H Public Speaking Contest, Powered by FPL, at the St. Johns Agricultural Center, where local students competed for top honors. The students participating in the contest were from the county’s public and private schools, as well as from the area’s homeschooled groups. Each year St. Johns County Commissioners and Administrators are invited to be the judges.

This year’s contest was held on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center. It included students in the fourth through sixth grades. The County Commissioner showed their continued support of the UF/IFAS-St. Johns County Extension 4-H Youth Development Program.  Building community trust in local government is one of the six priorities of the County’s Strategic Plan. For details, visit the Strategic Plan web page.

The St. Johns County Young Professionals Program is a regional initiative focused on connecting and developing young professionals and emerging leaders through networking, educational programming, leadership opportunities, and community engagement.

This program was established with the goal of creating a stronger pipeline of future business, civic, and industry leaders by providing opportunities for professional networking, leadership development, educational programming, mentorship, and community involvement. Designed to foster meaningful professional relationships and strengthen regional workforce connectivity, the program serves as a collaborative platform where young professionals from diverse industries can engage, grow, and contribute to the future success of the community.

The Young Professionals Program will initially launch as an open-access event series featuring networking mixers, leadership workshops, educational panels, industry spotlight events, and community engagement opportunities. These events are designed to create accessible and inclusive opportunities for young professionals at all career stages to expand their networks, build professional skills, and engage with leaders and organizations throughout the region.

Core Focus Areas
  • Professional Networking & Workforce Development
  • Leadership Development
  • Community Engagement & Advocacy
  • Regional Connectivity
  • Industry Partnerships

Stay informed of more St. Johns County news by subscribing to our e-newsletters and learn how we’re shaping our community’s future by advancing the SJC Strategic Plan through the Office of Public Affairs.