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DPA: The highlight of the year for every 4-H’er
Anna Dunn
North Forsyth High School
i
The highlight of the year for
■every 4-H'er is a district competi
'tion called DPA or District Project
■Achievement.
[ DPA is held at the Rock Eagle 4-
H camp during a weekend in
March. There 4-H’ers from across
North Georgia come to compete
in a variety of project areas, such
as pet care, safety, and forestry
•yfyich allows everyone to com
jitte in something they are inter
ested in.
planning for DPA actually
Ets a year in advance.
niors and seniors have to
:mble a portfolio which is
MQeviewed by a judge and accounts
Jsr a percentage of your final
Hcore.
A recordbook year goes from
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, and consists of
;national, state, district, and county
,4-H events, community service,
Programs benefit thousands of youths in Georgia
~ Present 4-H clubs stress creativity and learning
By Dr. Bo Ryle*
Director/State 4-H Club
Today, students in 4-H commu
nicate daily on web sites devel
oped by the 4-H youth tech corps.
Thousands of children from urban
and rural Georgia leam about the
environment as they wade in the
marshes of T\bee, climb a moun
tain at Wahsega, pull nets through
the surf at Jekyll, walk in the for
est at Rock Eagle, or leam about
our cultural history at Fulton.
The youth on the leadership
team in Atlanta, the members of
Sigma Lambda Chi (Service,
Leadership, Citizenship), and
other 4-H’ers in classes and clubs
throughout the state are growing
as leaders.
They are learning about agricul
ture and the environment, explor
ing ways to strengthen their fami
lies and becoming active and
committed citizens.
The methods of delivery have
changed but often the lessons are
the same as those taught in the
first com growing and tomato
canning clubs of 4-H.
I have contemplated what 4-H is
for many years.
Based on my experiences and
the wonderful people I have
learned from, I think 4-H is about
having fun and learning in a posi
tive environment.
It’s an organization that encour
ages personal achievement and
rewards youth for effort. It’s a
place for young people to interact
with sharing and caring adults.
4-H is a club made up of large
groups of enthusiastic and moti
vated children, an environment in
which to build pleasant memories,
a forum for experiencing “hands
on” learning.
It’s an assembly of teenagers
extending peer support rather than
peer pressure.
It also seems to me that the more
we change, the more we stay the
same.
-’ From growing com to Y2K
problem solving, 4-H is built on
Solid youth development princi
ples and a proven delivery system
for education. 4-H has become a
legendary program because of
individuals dedicating themselves
to helping young people.
For almost a century, 4-H has
been providing positive learning
experiences for school age youth.
As we approach the millennium,
our classroom is at the five 4-H
centers, in traditional school
buildings across the state, in the
horse and livestock ring, in the
computer lab and anywhere 4-H
stiff, leaders and members can
ftld ways of applying the time
p oven “leam by doing” extension
p lilosophy.
!)ur population is growing.
(ITIZENSHIPfrom 4C
Ne keep them busy with activi
t !s such as playing basketball,
t tard games, and listening to
r usic. We have had a few special
e ents such as a Christmas party
1 St winter and a pool party this
s unmer.
rhis program has been very fun
a id I have learned and received
s > much from these children.
, |... .. MM- -.
project area data, and other activi
ties that the 4-H member has done
throughout the year.
After recordbooks have been
completed the real work begins.
The basic demonstration con
sists of a speech and visual aid in
a specific project area.
The demonstrations are prac
ticed over and over until perfect.
By competition night competi
tors are often found reciting them
in their sleep.
The presentation is then deliv
ered to judges and other 4-H’ers
in that project area.
Other project areas require a dif
ferent format.
The performing arts competi
tions include musicians, singers,
pianists, dancers, and many oth
ers.
Competitors prepare a short per
formance in their own field of
study and present it to the judges.
Considered one of the hardest
competitions of all the project
Youth too often have little support
at home.
Our state needs 4-H more than
ever. We can’t simply maintain
( Join 4-H... C
& Get Into Something Good! &
rip Learn about CAREERS rip
|| Help the COMMUNITY /jOk M
Participate in CITIZENSHIP
Clean up the ENVIRONMENT
Work towards HEALTH
gs Enjoy SOCIAL EVENTS tek
...and MORE xl
4-H provides a nurturing environment for young people to
explore a variety of subjects and acquire skills in areas such as ' y
agriculture, technology and conservation. The 4-H environment
also helps develop leadership skills and instills humanitarian ;
values, making it one of the most worthwhile organizations in QJn
the nation, worthy of support from all of us. E/Jr
iff ,y/(97Z47g
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Contact your
4-H club today, and get
in on a good thing!
Sponsored by:
J Dairy Queen J
K 770-887-3240 K
areas because of the numerous
participants. This year Fbrsyth
County finished with a second
and third place in the Performing
Arts/General category, and a first
place in the Performing Arts,
Instrumental project.
DPA is also the place where
members can run for a district
board position.
This year Forsyth County’s own
Anna Phillips was elected as vice
president for the North East
Junior Board.
Julie Ditmore and Aimee Smith
were both fortunate to score well
enough in their areas to attend the
state competition.
Participants in the 1999 Jr./Sr.
DPA include:
Juniors:
Sallie Bottoms - Forestry
Laura Fitzgerald - Public
Speaking
Amanda Millwood - Flowers,
Shrubs, and Lawns
the program.
It must grow to meet the needs
of today’s youth. This legendary
program is as current today as it
Julia Papanickolas - Performing
Arts, General
Anna Phillips - Food Preserva
tion and Safety
Morgan Rappatta - Performing
Arts, Instrumental
Amber Smith - Dog Care and
Training
Heather Sutton - Horse
Timmy Tapp - Better Breakfast
Mindy Warbington - Poultry
and Egg Science
Seniors:
Julie Ditmore - Plant and Soil
Science
Anna Dunn - Performing Arts,
General
Michael Eaton - Shooting
Sports
Micah Fauscett - Sports
Joanie Mixon - Veterinary
Science
Emily Teatro - Dairy Foods
Aimee Smith - Safety
Congratulations to all!
was in 1904. 1 encourage you to
get involved with helping 4-H
reach youth. Be a volunteer
leader, be a donor, be a teacher.
FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS ThurxUy, S*p»ml»r IS, IBM I
Photo/submitted
Forsyth County 4-H’ers participated in Junior/Senior District
Project Achievement at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Front row,
Morgan Rappatta, Anna Dunn, Julia Papanikolas, Laura
Fitzgerald, Heather Sutton, Mindy Warbington, Anna Phillips;
middle, Micah Fauscett, Michael Eaton, Amanda Milwood; back:
Amber Smith, Joanie Mixon, Julie Ditmore, Emily Teatro, Aimee
Smith, Timmy Tapp. Not Pictured is Sallie Bottoms.
Contact your local county exten
sion agent or the state 4-H office
to find out how you can get
involved in this legendary pro-
gram for youth, 4-H.
Adapted from “4-H - A
Legendary Program “ by Dr. Bo
Ryles, state 4-H Leader.
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