Always something great happening in 4-H

By By Beth Randall / 4-H youth agent
Oct. 26, 2003
Do you like to get your hands dirty? Do you like to improve the environment? If the answers are yes, then I have just the project for you.
Community Pride is a grant and award program sponsored by the ChevronTexaco Companies and administered by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Our mission is to promote positive youth development by providing incentives for youth to improve their communities.
Our vision is to empower all youth-serving organizations, clubs, and classes to do community improvement projects, with emphasis on education and environmental awareness.
Youth participants will develop and foster community pride by: identifying community concerns and needs; working in a group to plan and conduct specific projects; valuing personal community service and the impact individuals can have through group participation; developing citizenship and leadership skills; and Exploring career possibilities.
Community Pride's primary objective, guided by our Program Development Plan, is to provide all youth-serving organizations, clubs and classes in Mississippi a medium in which to install community pride in youth participation in community projects.
Fair events
In addition to Community Pride, there are many other 4-H events that have recently taken place.
Lauderdale County 4-H joined the clubs in Mississippi's other 81 counties for 4-H Day at the State Fair in Jackson. At 4-H Day, members participated in a variety of contests and events.
One of the most popular events is the 4-H Fashion Revue. From Lauderdale County, Lydia Burns, Summer Lucky, Lizzie Lucky, and Sarah Burns participated. Sarah Burns was the Sweepstakes winner in her category. In the Sew with Wool Contest, Summer Lucky placed first in her category and will represent Mississippi in the National Contest in Sacramento, Calif., in January.
Lauderdale County is also home to some great speakers. Participating in the 4-H Public Speaking Contest were Daniel Burns, Lydia Burns and Summer Lucky. Summer Lucky placed second in the senior category; in the junior category, Lydia Burns placed first and Daniel Burns placed second.
In the afternoon, the 4-H stage was alive with the sound of music. 4-H'ers were selected from audition tapes to entertain the audience as they visited the Trade Mart Building. Our very own Sarah Burns was one of the acts selected.
In addition, 4-H'ers exhibited hand-made items in 4-H Village.
Earlier in the month, our 4-H'ers entered exhibits in the Queen City Fair. Members of the 4-H Council and their parents operated two booths "The Milk Maker" and "Farmer for the Day."
These booths provided by the fair gave younger children a good look at life on a farm. They gave fair goers the opportunity to pick an apple from a tree and milk a cow!
Leadership Lauderdale
We have another group of 4-H'ers who have been busy this month and that is our new Leadership Lauderdale Youth participants. We kicked off this year's program with an overnight retreat at Roosevelt State Park.
This year's participants include Anna Allred, Amye Blubaugh, Cathleen Castle, Benn Covington, Kate Crawford, Shana Cross, Madison Davis, Anna Deen, Crystal Duke, Erica du Plessis, Semmes Ford, Jacob Garrett, Katie Harper, Alyse Hobgood, Liz Johnson, Brittanye` Kelly, Sarah King, Sarah Lisenbe, Jessica Love, Elizabeth Luke, Michelle Mayer, Lauren Pedroso, Kaleb Price, Jessica Rutledge, Cody Warner, Cori Waters, Megan Watkins, Erien Watson, Trey Watts and Katelyn Whitlock.
Adults assisting with the retreat were: Wayne Edwards, Leadership Lauderdale Youth chairman; Kim Moore; Eloise Jenkins; and Meagan Scott.
Wayne Edwards led the participants in the study of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens and Patsy Douglas led teamwork activities. We had a great time strengthening our leadership skills and we are looking forward to a great year as we learn more about leadership and the community.
As you can tell, there is always something great happening in 4-H. For more information on how you can be part of the fun 4-H world, call your local County Extension Service Office. The number in Lauderdale County is 482-9764.