Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 12D
) FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS Sunday, October 4,1998
What is Citizenship focus?
Rachel Panter
* Forsyth Central High School
What is Citizenship/Washington Focus
(CWF)? CWF is a mini civics course given
at the national 4 -H center in Washington
D.C. It allows high school students to better
understand how our country works. The pro
gram teaches young people, like myself, how
to be active, responsible citizens and leaders.
This program is based on the premise that
democracy requires skills and strategies that
can be learned and practiced. It promotes the
saying “Better Citizens Today. Better
Leaders Tomorrow.”
To achieve the mission of “Better
Citizens Today. Better Leaders Tomorrow,”
CWF uses the following: Participatory work
shops that build lifetime skills for success;
dynamic speakers who inspire youth to reaf
firm their commitment to citizen involve
ment; committees that give everyone a
chance to practice leadership skills; field
trips that provide hands-on opportunities to
study characteristics of successful leaders,
gain political awareness, and learn about leg
islation and each citizen’s role in it; social
events and other activities encourage new
friendships, fitness, individual growth, and
fun!
In my eight years as a 4 -H member, I
have been many places and met many peo
ple, but never before had I learned so much
nor met so many different people in one
week. It was truly the best trip I have ever
taken. Having gone to Washington only a
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few years before, I wasn’t all too excited
about going, but once I got there I didn’t
want to leave. The whole program changed
the way I look at the government. It also pre
pared me for my govemment/civics class that
I am taking in school this year.
The program included a mock legislation,
night view of Washington, spirit cruise on
the Potomac River, tour of Mount Vernon
and the Arlington Cemetery, a picnic lunch
at Iwa Jima, a visit to each memorial, free
time touring the Smithsonian , and capital
hill day where we met with congressmen and
toured the capital. These experiences have
allowed me to build myself up as a better
leader. CWF has changed the whole out look
of my future.
The learning experiences were enough to
make the trip worthwhile, but we had social
events that put focus on building new friend
ships, too. The first activity was a get
acquainted social. Each state exchanged
small pins, stickers, posters, and pencils with
some symbol of their state or county on it
with other states. Georgia 4 -Hers exchanged
peanuts, peanut pins, bulldawg stickers, and
coke-cola fans. Other social events included
a talent show, CWF derby, free time in the
recreation hall, and a farewell dance. Each
event was exciting and meant so much to
everyone. Though I can’t attend CWF again I
do plan to apply as a PA (program assistant)
when I am a junior in college. I just can’t
wait to spend that summer teaching 4 -Hers
as I have been taught.
4-H WEEK
Learning about the legislature
By Rachel Panter
Forsyth Central High School
4-H’ers get an opportunity each year to
learn more about their state government by
serving as pages for the legislatures. Each
year about five Senior 4 -H’ers are chosen
from Forsyth County. First, we go through
a 30-minute orientation. Then, we are
Learning Through
J-MK Experience
The 4-H organization provides learning
% by doing experiences in many diverse
areas for our young people, it nelps our
youth to become responsible, productive citizens of their
community and country. We're proud of our 4-H'ers.
DES Business Services, Inc
Providing Offices and Businesses Services since 1984
A family owned business supporting 4-H in
Forsyth County for two generations.
Sawnee Meadows • 425 Tribble Gap Road • Cumming, GA 30040
Voice: 770 781 -6300 Fax: 770 781 -6303
( \
We Proudly Support the
Forsyth 4-H Club!
■‘hou'ui/
(770) 887-2388
•” ............ Ingram Avenue
Cumming, GA 30040
given a number and a badge and are sent
into the house to relay messages to the rep
resentatives. While in the house, we actual
ly get to talk with the legislatures and learn
how things are ran. After relaying a mes
sage, we are sent back in time and time
See LEARNING, Page 15D