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TheTrue Citizen, Wednesday, October 5,2011 — Page 22
Burke County 4-H
Celebrate the Possibilities!
4-H - More Than You Ever Imagined!
By Heather Savelle
4-H. Nearly everyone has heard of it. Many people were involved when they
were growing up. Yet few can really put into words what it truly is or the impact
that it has had in their life. But everyone who has ever been a part of 4-H can
agree: 4-H changes lives.
Georgia 4-H is the youth development program through the University of
Georgia Cooperative Extension. The goal of 4-H is to provide students with the
subject knowledge, leadership, communication, and decision making skills
needed to be productive, contributing citizens. 4-H achieves this goal through
hands-on learning experiences focused on agriculture and environmental issues,
agriculture awareness, leadership, communication skills, food and nutrition,
health, energy conservation, and citizenship. How does that translate to Burke
County? Our students are involved in numerous projects and events throughout
the year including livestock shows, project presentations, consumer judging,
forestry judging, club meetings, community service projects, leadership
conferences, and so much more!
It is an honor for me to have recently become a part of Burke County's Extension
Team as the 4-H Agent. There is such an incredible potential for students in this
community to succeed in 4-H. My goal for Burke County 4-H is to provide
students with as many opportunities as possible to learn, serve, lead, and
succeed. I want to get more students involved in the program, provide
opportunities that match the needs and interest of the students and the
community, and help students set goals for themselves and take steps toward
reaching them.
I view Burke County 4-H as belonging to YOU - the young people and the
community. We at the Extension Office invite you to join our team to "Make the
Best, Better." 4-H is available for all boys and girls from 9 to 19 - and there is no
cost to join I We hope that you will celebrate with us the success of our program
during National 4-H Week and join us in the upcoming year. I am looking
forward to the possibilities!
Famous 4-H'ers - Who Do You Know?
Nancy Grace - Georgia 4-H'er and CNN show host
Jennifer Nettles - Georgia 4-H'er and country music singer
David Letterman - TV Show Host
Julia Roberts - Actress
Reba McEntire - Country Singer
Al Gore - Past US Vice President
Dolly Parton - Country Singer
Orville Redenbacher- Popcorn businessman
The Magic of 4-H
By Michaela Pollex, 4-H'er
As young people, there are so many amazing opportunities and great clubs to
join. They all provide outstanding experiences and teach teens many valuable life
lessons. One of the very best clubs that I know of is 4-H. I have been in 4-H for a
little over three years now and I believe I have taken advantage of everything it
has to offer. The most memorable of my many breathtaking experiences was in
February of this year. At District Project Achievement (DPA), 4-H'ers choose a
topic, create a demonstration, and compete with their demonstration against
other students in that category. Once students reach the Junior and Senior levels
of the club (7 th -12 th grade), they have the chance to run for the District 4-H Board
of Directors. Campaigning for the elections that take place at DPA takes a great
deal of hard work, responsibility, and exceptional creativity and people skills. Just
like everything difficult in life though, the repercussions are good, grand, and
beyond worth it. I was elected to serve on the 2011 - 2012 SE District Junior
Board of Directors. Through this leadership position, I have gained a wide range
of skills useful for school, work, friendships, and life in general.
In addition to the many abilities learned, 4-H helps to build youths' self esteem.
The organization is supervised by adults that know how important it is to feel
good about ourselves, especially during these tough, stressful teenage years. The
leaders of the program provide constant encouragement, never-ending love, and
when needed, unlimited assistance.
The 4-H Motto:
To Make the Best Better!
4-H'ers Succeed at Project Achievement
By Heather Savelle
There are so many aspects of the 4-H club that are great. In my opinion though,
the most remarkable part of the organization is the lifelong relationships built
through it. In just three short years, I have made friends from all over the state
and even a few from other parts of the country! The young people in 4-H are far
from ordinary. With them is where anyone can have the most fun they have ever
had. Around them is where anyone can be completely himself or herself and be
loved for it. Beside them is where you stand, knowing that they are family. 4-H is
extraordinary.
While there are many skills that students learn through 4-H, most people who
were ever involved in 4-H will credit the organization with teaching them the
ability to speak in public. Each year Burke County 4-H'ers have the opportunity
to present a demonstration on the topic of their choice at District Project
Achievement. Students research their topic, write and memorize a speech, and
create a poster and prop demonstration to help illustrate the presentation.
Students then present their demonstrations to a panel of judges and are judged
against other students with demonstrations in the same project area. This year
Burke County took 26 5 th and 6 th graders to Cloverleaf DPA and brought home 6
1 st place winners, five 2 nd place winners, and five 3 rd place winners. Five 7 th
through 12 th graders attended Junior/Senior DPA at Rock Eagle and came home
with two 1 st place winners. Each student who attended, regardless of the
placing, learned self-confidence, initiative, responsibility, and time management
skills that will serve them well in any career path they pursue.
Project Achievement. Jasmine Cobb earns 2 nd place at DPA.
THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
COOPERATIVE
EXTENSION
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
College of Family and Consumer Sciences
4-H Summer Camp at Rock Eagle
By Jennifer McDaniel, 4-H'er
During the week of June 20 th to June 24 th , 32 5 th and 6 th grade Cloverleaf 4-Hers
had the time of their lives at Cloverleaf 4-H Summer Camp at Rock Eagle 4-H
Center. On the bus ride many were either full of anticipation or wary of the
week ahead. But everyone knew they were in for an experience that would be
remembered forever. Upon arrival on Monday, most were shocked by the
amount of activities they would be participating in from then until Friday
morning. Sixth grade 4-H'ers, known as the blue strings, participated in many
hands-on, physical activities that required teamwork and communication.
Whether the activity was sailing, rock climbing, or speeding down the zip line,
everyone came home with many stories about their experiences. The 5 th grade
4-H'ers, who were divided into red strings and white strings, also had a full
week of crafts, swimming, and various classes that included archery, canoeing,
herpetology, forestry, and many others. Not only did the campers bring home
stories to tell their friends and family, they also learned many skills that will
benefit them forever. 4-H'ers learned how to make friends, be responsible for
their belongings, work well with others, and manage time wisely. Everyone
returned home safely with great memories and full of anticipation for next year.
For more information on Burke County 4-H Clubs and getting involved as a member or an adult volunteer, call
the Burke County Extension Office at 706-554-2119 or visit our website, www.ugaextension.com/burke