Newspaper Page Text
Page 2 — Wednesday, October 8, 2014, The Millen News
Jenkins County 4-H celebrates National 4-H Week, Oct. 5-11
How much do you know
about 4-H?
Think it’s cows, chickens and rabbits? If so, it's time you discover what 4-H is really
about today! The 4-H programs of today are a myriad of opportunities for our youth.
There are mini-booths at the Ogeechee Fair, District Project Achievement, Forestry, Judg
ing Events, Summer Camps and Conferences and Leadership in Action. Kids can explore
hundreds of topics from food, animals, science, sports, art and music - the possibilities are
endless in the ways they can explore and grow. They will develop communication skills,
meet deadlines, set and accomplish goals and master tiered levels of responsibility.
Most of all they will HAVE FUN!!
At least our kids have. They arrived in 3 rd Grade in a new town. They tried hard to “fit
in” as new kids do. After a few years, in 5 th Grade—they found where they “fit”... they
found 4-H. We’ve seen our kids thrive and grow. They have developed skills they will use
their entire life: planning, research, presentation, communication and public speaking
skills. They have had opportunities of self discovery, to compete at the state level and to
travel and they have made lifelong friends throughout the state.
But, even though they work hard... they just think they’re having FUN!
We are thankful everyday for the Jenkins County 4-H Program. We are so fortunate to
have this program in Jenkins County as many counties do not. Elaine Lanier, Wade Parker
and Jill Clayton work countless hours with the kids, above and beyond what they get paid
to do. They deserve our respect and most of all, our support for their contribution to the
young people that they guide every day. They give of themselves to help kids from all
backgrounds discover who they are and what they want to be. They teach them the skill
set and the pathway to achievement. In the last few years we have had multiple kids
compete at the Regional and State Level, (1) State 4-H President, (2) Southeast District
Presidents and (1) District Board member from Jenkins County. Wow! Kids from small
counties can be achievers and leaders.
We must have expectations, set goals and support programs that support our kids. Most
of all the program needs financial and volunteer support - wouldn’t it be great if every kid
could experience camp just once? If you want to help... get involved. Be creative Jenkins
County, how about a Youth Participation Fund... where every kid that WANTS to partici
pate CAN even if they can’t afford to.
We urge parents, community leaders, retirees, businesses and school leaders to come
see for yourselves all the great things going on in OUR Jenkins County 4-H Program!
Dale and John Wagner
Proud 4-H Parents
I am Tyler Wagner, and
I am Georgia 4-H!
What does 4-H mean to me? 4-H is a wonderful youth
development program that has taught me how to be a leader
in my community through leadership workshops and classes
and community service activities. Since the 5 th grade, 4-H
has provided me with several opportunities to expand my
leadership qualities and gain knowledge of the world in which
we live. This past year, I was elected by my fellow 4-H mem
bers from the Southeast District to serve as the President of
the Southeast District. I am honored to represent the South
east District as their President, and I aim to “Make the Best
Better” in everything that I do this year for our district.
Through 4-H, I have been able to attend several confer
ences, including Georgia 4-H State Congress, which I have
participated in the past three years, as well as out-of-state conferences including the Southern
Region 4-H Teen Leadership Conference, in Crossville, Tennessee, and National 4-H Congress,
in Atlanta, Georgia, which I will attend later this year.
I have been a member of Georgia 4-H’s Performing Arts Group, Clovers and Company, over
the past three years; this is currently the 34 th year of Clovers and Company. Clovers and Com
pany has allowed me to perform at numerous events throughout Georgia every year, as well as
an out-of-state performance at a nearby state’s 4-H Congress, which have included Louisiana,
Kentucky, and Florida.
This past summer, I won first place and “mastered” as a 4-H’er in the Performing Arts: Other
Instrumental Project at State 4-H Congress, where I performed the Main Theme from "Mon
sters Incorporated” on the clarinet, and won an all-expenses-paid trip to National 4-H Con
gress ! State 4-H Congress is definitely one of my favorite conferences I have ever attended in
Georgia, and I am thankful that I have been able to experience it three times.
Lastly, I am thankful for all of the friends I have made through 4-H. At every 4-H event I
attend, I always make at least one new friend, whether from Georgia 4-H or another 4-H pro
gram in a surrounding state, such as Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Virginia, and even Nebraska! 4-H has provided with several friends that will last a
lifetime!
In conclusion, the week of October 5-11, 2014 is National 4-H Week. I challenge everyone
that is reading this to try to follow the 4-H Motto and “Make the Best Better” in everything that
they do this week, and every week. Also, as 4-H’ers all around the world pledge their heads to
clearer thinking, hearts to greater loyalty, hands to larger service, and health to better living, I
challenge each of you to follow in our footsteps and do the same! 4-H is “Growing Tomorrow’s
Leaders” in fields of agriculture, health, food and nutrition sciences, biological sciences, tech
nology, and performing arts, and I am proud to represent Jenkins County 4-H and Georgia 4-H
in everything that I do!
My name is Austin Wagner, and
I will always be Georgia 4-H!
OCTOUKU 5-11,
4-H WEEK
Over the past eight
years, Georgia 4-H has
been an awesome club
that I am proud to be part
of. Why you may ask?
Through Georgia 4-H, I
have learned many lead
ership and communica
tion skills, made many
new friends, and learned
how to make my best even better.
I first became a 4-H’er in fifth grade by attending in-school
club meetings and participating in many county activities. In
sixth grade, I competed at Cloverleaf Project Achievement for
the first time in the Safety project, placing second. Also, I at
tended Cloverleaf Camp at Jekyll Island 4-H Center for the first
time. In seventh grade, I competed at Jr./Sr. District Project
Achievement at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. This was my first trip
of many future visits in my "home away from home”.
By high school, I had competed in Forestry judging, attended
Jr. Conference, as well as Jr. Camp. However, moving to high
school meant that I was going to be a Sr. 4-H’er. This meant I
would have to make a longer DPA portfolio and presentation as
well as being involved and leading more leadership and service
projects. I became a Certified Teen Leader, which meant I was
certified to teach different classes to Cloverleaf and Jr. 4-H’ers.
I attended Georgia 4-H State Council, which is the annual meet
ing of Georgia 4-H’ers held every summer at Rock Eagle, for
the first of many times. I continued to compete in Forestry judg
ing, learning about different types of trees, insects and diseases,
how to use a compass, and timber evaluation. Beginning in 9 th
grade I competed at Sr. Project Achievement in the Sports Project
category, which was one of the hardest projects due to its large
size. I knew I had to try to make my best even better to be able
to compete at the state level in the future.
In 2014,1 decided to run for the Southeast District Sr. Board
of Directors. I dressed up in a duck costume and walked around
WE SUPPORT
Our Local 4-H
Rock Eagle campaigning to my fellow District 4-H’ers for their
vote. Sounds fun, right? Actually, it was awesome! By just run
ning for board, I met many new 4-H’ers and made new friend
ships. I actually ended up making the District Board as a Board
Member! Also, I placed third in the Sports Project, winning a
sweepstakes to State Congress. I knew I had to practice more in
order to make by best better.
This summer, I attended Georgia Officer Training, which was
a three day conference at Rock Eagle for the 2014-15 District
Officers across the state from all four districts. The following
week I attended Cloverleaf Camp at Rock Eagle as a teen leader,
so I did not know what to expect. By the end of camp, I realized
I had one of the best weeks ever! Because of this, I have been
influenced to apply to become a counselor for next summer. In
July, I attended State Congress for the first time. Like all things
you do for the first time, I did not know what to expect. I pre
sented my Sports Project presentation titled “How to Hit a Base
ball” and had a portfolio interview. As they announced the re
sults, I knew I had done by best. I actually did the best out of
everyone who competed in that project category, placing first
and receiving "Master 4-H’er status". A few weeks ago, I at
tended the Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference in
Crossville, Tennessee at the Clyde York 4-H Center. I learned
many new leadership techniques and even made new friends
not only from Georgia, but also from Louisiana, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida.
One of the things I have enjoyed the most as a 4-H’er is
impacting the lives of younger kids. As my time a 4-H mem
ber is limited, I look forward to continuing to do this by serv
ing as a volunteer 4-H leader in the future. Who knows, maybe
I’ll become an agent one day? Despite this, I will always strive
to make my best better, which is the 4-H motto.
Congratulations!
To our Jenkins County 4-H!
$$To make the Best
BETTER
Planters Electric
Membership Corporation
A Toudnwr* Ercmiy' Gwpsmivt
P.O. Box 979, 1740 Hwy. 95 North
Millen, Georgia 478-982-4722
NS*
We're proud to support the
Jenkins County 4-H Program
MILLEN JENKINS COUNTY CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
540 Cotton Avenue, Millen,GA
478-982-5595
Grill & ChiU
Hwy. 25 North - Millen, GA
478-982-4627
Compliments of
FARM
BUREAU
INSURANCE
JENKINS COUNTY
FARM BUREAU
1104 East Winthrope Ave,, Millen
^478-982-1679
We support Jenkins County 4-H
"Proud Team Supporter
of our local 4-H Program"
TEAM INSUARNCE GROUP
728 East Winthrope Avenue
Millen, GA 30441
478-982-4373
Mitchell McGraw. Owner - Tina Saxon - Agent
Debbie Frawley - Agent
