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PAGE 4C
! FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS Thurtdiy, S«pt»mbT 1«, 1898
Forsyth County’s 4-H Club
Continuing a standard of excellence
Getting involved in 4-H activities offers far-reaching rewards
Carol Propes
County Extension Coordinator
Youth in Georgia are always looking for something
to do. And Georgia 4-H has lots of things to do,
learn, lead and give.
Today’s 4-H programs are so much more than cows
and sewing. Georgia 4H’ers can learn how to create
and maintain World Wide Web sites, speak effective
ly, lead volunteer efforts and make smart consumer
choices.
The 4-H is led by county agents and staff with the
Cooperative Extension Service, a part of the
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences. We run club meetings
through the school, where youths in grades 5-12
learn leadership skills and can share their knowledge
with their club mates.
At club meetings, youths can learn about other 4-H
activities. Summer fun and learning programs, pro
ject competitions, judging events, special trips and
community activities are all part of 4-H.
Members choose from more than 50 projects for
State 4-H Congress
the ultimate goal
By: Julie Ditmore
South Forsyth High School
State 4-H Congress is the ultimate goal of any 4-H’er that com
petes at DPA. The ticket to State Congress is first place at District
Project Achievement, DPA, as it is affectionately called by us 4-
H’ers.
• This fun-filled week was jam-packed with many different activi
ties. After preparing for our speeches, looking over our portfolios,
and working on our interviews (all parts of the competition) it was
time to show off our hard work. I received second place in the Plant
and Soil Sciences project while Aimee Smith went to the Congress
as a Safety “sweepstakes” winner. This means that Aimee received
second place at DPA, but because of the number of people she com
peted against she won the trip to State Congress.
• Not only was it hard work, but a lot of fun, too. Banquets, a tour of
the project sponsor’s business, a trip to Six Flags, just relaxing at
the Crowne Plaza Ravinia, the annual banquet and farewell dance
were all highlights of the week. At the annual banquet the winners
of the Congress are recognized. The annual banquet and the
Farewell Dance are the most anticipated events of the week.
Once you win the State Congress you earn the title of Master 4-
H’er. This is the highest honor you can receive as a 4-H’er. With
this win comes another trip called National Congress. Nationals this
year will be held in Atlanta. Winners from all over the nation will
gather in Atlanta for a relaxing reward trip. At Nationals 4-H’ers
don’t compete, it is only a reward for your hard work and dedica
tion. National Congress will be held in Atlanta until the year 2001.
Summer camp is a great place for 4-H fun
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special competitions. Project work begins in the
county, where members are divided by age group.
Fifth- and sixth-grade 4-H’ers are Cloverleafs.
Seventh- and eighth-grade 4-H’ers are Juniors. From
the ninth-grade to 19 years old, they are Seniors.
Beyond county competitions, Cloverleafs and
Juniors can compete at district events. Senior 4-Hers
can seek state and national honors in project compe
titions, and by judging and leadership events.
These competitions help young people learn more
about themselves. They learn how to make decisions
based on reasoning, and how to present themselves
and their information. That’s building skills for life,
no matter what a child’s background, no matter
where they are headed.
But to get all of this done, 4-H relies on volunteers
and donors to support the local program. Adults can
volunteer their time and talents to local 4-H pro
grams. Donors provide funding that helps youths in
their community participate in activities, programs,
and competitions.
Getting into Georgia 4-H is as easy as calling the
County Extension Office at (770) 887-2418.
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Photo/submitted
Aimee Smith and Julie Ditmore at the State 4-H Congress
annual awards banquet.
By Micah Fauscett
South Forsyth High School
Think you have got what it takes to be a
teen leader at Cloverleaf 4-H Summer
Camp? Can you sacrifice a whole week to
live in a cabin with 15-25 wild fifth- and
sixth-grade girls and guys?
Can you go a whole week without
“mama’s cooking,” McDonalds, Chick-fil-
A or even Applebee’s to eat such camp
food as over-dried grits, rock hard toast,
and rubbery chicken fingers? Can you
miss your “Days of our Lives” or “Sports
Center” for a week? Do you have the lead
ership and people skills needed? If you
answered yes to all these questions, then
4-H is looking for you.
This year, Michael Eaton, Julie Ditmore,
Joanie Mixon, Aimee Smith, Emily
Teatro, and myself all attended Rock
Eagle Summer 4-H Camp as Junior
Leaders. We spent a week with 130
Forsyth County 4-H Cloverleafs. During
the week we took part in a number of
activities. We were “Doogie Hausers” in
the Health Cottage (not really, we just
pulled files, but at times it sure seemed
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Photo/submitted
The 4-H BB Team competed in another successful season this past year. The team placed 3rd in
both area and district matches, and ninth at the state competition.
like it). Some of us were pool patrol as
others got to operate the famous water
slide. Certain teen leaders spent a day on
the course, that it, the putt-putt course.
Some days we helped at canoeing by
putting 4-H'ers in the boat and making
sure they didn’t flip over.
Leaders also got to chaperone dances,
walk around with digital cameras and hold
live snakes.
Also some of us competed in the annual
Counselors vs. Leaders softball game,
which I’m proud to say the Leaders won
again this year.
Some of the leaders helped in the vigor
ous ropes course which includes a high
wall, cargo net, tight rope repelling and
other mentally challenging activities
where you have to use your brain.
If you think this is all hard and tiring
work, you are probably right. But, being a
Teen Leader also has its rewards. You
make new friends with other Teen Leaders
from different counties all across Georgia.
Just the whole experience makes it
worthwhile.
Afterwards you’ll have memories that
will last you a lifetime.
Thanks!
Local 4-H Clubs thank
businesses and groups -3
for their ongoing support
The Forsyth County 4-H Clubs
would like to thank the following
people and groups for donating
their time, money and help to the
4-H Club.
> Forsyth County United Way
for their financial support.
> South Forsyth Rotary Club for
sponsoring a 4-H’er to attend the
Citizenship/Washington Focus
trip in Washington, D.C.
I Chris Sager, the BB Team
Coach.
> Ray Tucker and Michael
Waybright for coaching the
Shotgun Team.
> Forsyth County Homemaker’s
Club for their financial support.
I Hansard Insurance Company,
for sponsoring six savings bonds
to honor the 4-H Members of the
Year
I Dennis Stockton, Norman
Baggs and the Forsyth County
News for the media support.
I Harris Blackwood and Prestige
Cable for the media support.
I Dr. Allene Magill, school
4-H citizenship activities
By Michael Eaton
North Forsyth High School
Every Thursday of each month
the Foster Parent Association of
Forsyth County meets at a local
church. Through the 4-H Office, it
became known that they needed
volunteers to provide supervision
for the children during the meet
ings.
board members, principals and
teachers for their continued sup- I
port of 4-H
•;T
> Elroy Warbington for help
with the Poultry Judging Team.
> Chris Sager, Mike Nix, Frank
Vanek, and Victoria Voss for ;
chaperoning the week of
Cloverleaf Camp
J i
I Regions Bank for the use of ;•
their parking lot for a 4-H car ...
wash to raise money for the
Exchange trip 4-H activities '
• <
> Dave Horton and the ’
Cumming Fairgrounds staff for,
the use of the livestock bar. •,<
> Constance Dunsire for orga- •
nizing and teaching the Horse
Club.
The biggest “thanks” goes to the
parents for donating their time to
provide transportation, teach
classes, make backdrops and dec
orations, or just whatever we
needed. ■ ■
What would we do without the
parents!
f
To all of our 4-H supporters we
a GREAT BIG THANKS! ,
As part of our on-going commu
nity service, me and a few other
4-H’ers volunteered our time. »
I had so much fun the first time,
I have eagerly looked forward
each month to my evening with
these children. There are usually
10-20 children ranging from _•<?
infants to young teenagers. • r
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See CITIZENSHIP, Page 5C