Almost There!

Hello Everyone,

I feel like I just wrote my last blog about four days ago, but its been four weeks! I can't believe that school is so close to being over. With everything that is going on in school and with 4-H in my county, I feel like my head is constantly spinning with hundreds of things to do. Does anyone else feel like this or am I going crazy?! I am the head of prom committee and prom is coming up so very quickly, it is this weekend actually! I have spent that last two days straight setting up and I'm going to go crazy. Our theme this year is "A Walk on the Wild Side." It is a jungle theme so I think that it will be exciting! I can't wait but I think that I will be relieved when it is all over.

Another thing that is coming up very soon is my school's blood drive, which I am in charge of. It is one of the greatest things though, you get to save people's lives and inspire other people to do the same thing. It is one of the greatest feelings in the world to know that you are actually making a difference. I encourage anyone that is over the age of 16 and that is able, to donate blood! It is such an amazing thing to do!

And sad to say, track season is almost over. But it isn't necessarily a bad thing because that means that summer and cross country are both on the way! I think that EVERYONE is ready for summer. Counting down the very few days of school that are left, and many people are getting ready to head to college in the fall or even in some cases, this summer. I will miss many of my friends but I know that they are all going to do amazing things. I can't wait to go to track states with my team and just have a good time at the end of the year. I hope that everyone finishes out school on a happy and positive note!

Until later,
Dawn Craft- 2012-2013 Pennsylvania State 4-H Council Vice President of Operations

Somos Los PP's

Hello Everyone!

So back in January, I wrote about how crazy of a month it seemed to be.  Well, I had no idea that April would be even crazier!  In April, I came down with a bad case of “Green Fever”!  Now don’t you fret, and don’t you worry, “Green Fever” is a GOOD thing!  From the 2013 National 4-H Conference, to the Northwest Pennsylvania 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat & Camp Counselor Training, to Cambria County Officer Training, to Delaware Valley College’s A Days, my April was packed full of 4-H. 

Souvenirs from the
2013 National 4-H Conference

 Out of all of the events I attended in April, I cannot stress how powerful my experience was at the 2013 National 4-H Conference.  So what’s with my title “Somos Los PP’s”?  Well, in Spanish, it is translated to “We are the PP’s”.  Still confused?  Have no worries, I’ll explain what this is all about.

At the 2013 National 4-H Conference, two completely different delegations united together to become a family and share an indescribable bond.  The two groups joined forces for an unforgettable experience and time at the 2013 National 4-H Conference.  The delegation from Puerto Rico and the delegation from Pennsylvania teamed up throughout the entire week.  Sharing laughs, memories, and enjoying each other’s company, there wasn’t a dry eye whenever the two delegations parted ways at the end of the week.

PA Delegation Being Crazy!

Since it was the unification of Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania, the joke between the delegations was that we were “The PP’s”!  Although we are separated by miles and miles, the family-like bond we formed at the 2013 National 4-H Conference will be unchanged.  I know that we will reunite once again.  Until we do so, the phone calls, the video chats, and texts will keep us in contact with one another.  There was definitely something special that happened at the 2013 National 4-H Conference that bought Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico together.

Pennsylvania & Puerto Rico!

With that being said, go out and make the most of your 4-H experience.  Apply for the 2014 National 4-H Conference!  Don’t be afraid to dive right into all that 4-H has to offer.  You’ll make memories that will last a lifetime and friendships that don’t fade with time.  So don’t be afraid to get “Green Fever” and let your passion for 4-H show!

Until later,

Cassidy Baker

2012/2013 PA 4-H State Council President

"Though miles may lie between us,

we are never far apart,

for friendship doesn't count miles,

it's measured by the heart"

Putting Our Hands To Larger Service

                4-Hers everywhere know the 4-H pledge by heart. It’s an important thing to know, but it’s even more important to live by. The pledge tells us to do four things, pledge our heads to clearer thinking, our hearts to greater loyalty, our hands to larger service, and our health to better living.

                They’re all good things to do, but one in particular part has been on my mind recently. My county’s Teen Council club is putting their hands to larger service by participating in the local Relay for Life in a few weeks. This Relay for Life is an event that raises money and awareness about cancer and save lives of people who are affected by it.

                I am personally excited to be a part of this, as it is a cause that is important to me. One of the most influential people in my life passed away almost two years ago from cancer. My grandfather was always my biggest role model. He was the most kind hearted, hardworking, and entertaining person I have ever met. No matter where he went, someone knew him, or he would find someone new to talk to. Watching his struggle is part of the reason that I decided to pursue a career in pharmaceutical research. One day, I would like to be a part of developing or improving some type of medication that will help ease the suffering of cancer patients. 

  

              Recently, I have had another person who is close to me diagnosed with cancer, my aunt Karen. Luckily, she has done well through her treatment, and things are starting to look better for her.

                My inspiration for putting my hands to larger service may be different than yours.  However,   we should all find a cause that is important to us and support it to the best of our ability. There are so many different causes that could use the service of hardworking 4-H members. No matter what our motivation is, we are all working toward a common goal; to make the best better!

Traveling the state

One of the things that I do a lot these days is traveling.  It's funny how I am place geographically in PA that I can be in many other places around the US and even Canada. I mean really 45 minuets east I'll be in New York, 45 minuets west I'll be in Ohio, and 45 minuets north I'll be in Lake Erie.  It may seem weird to be someone to live somewhere that if you go the wrong way you might be in a different state within a short time, but for me the opposite is true.

For the same Time it takes me to go Pittsburgh, PA I could be in Cleveland, OH or even Buffalo, NY.  Instead of being at Penn State I could be at Ohio State or even Syracuse for the same time, not that I would want to be.   In less time then going to these university I could visit the Niagara Falls, ether US or Canada side.  A trip to Harrisburg, I've made that trip a few times, but I could be in Cincinnati, OH and use the same amount of fuel.  If I wanted to go to Philadelphia I might think to go to New York City for close to the same time.  For all the diffident places I can be I do stay in this state a lot.

One thing is for sure, I do like to travel the state and seeing the great things on the road. From the Rivers in Pittsburgh, to the mountains in central Pennsylvania, its all a great sight.  Even though I don't have to be in PA and that I could be in many other places, I can't find it in me to be in another state.  Pennsylvania is in my blood and I don't think it will leave me.



Sincerely,
VP of Internal Affairs & Sentinel
John Hess Jr.

What lies ahead...

The end of the school year is near and there's a lot going on!  Spring soccer had just started, our first game being the same day as my prom, SAT, and livestock weigh-in, this weekend!!  What a day that will be!
We also had a very successful Earth Day themed 4-H kickoff in my county with many of the attendees being either first year members or newly looking into the 4-H program.  What an experience for everyone to be there and see a small part of the park with us, learning about 4-H and why the environment is important.  Certainly a day to remember!
Camp will be starting soon and I'm excited to be working with all of my first year counselors and our many campers this summer!  I'll miss those counselors who won't be coming back greatly, but I know they have important stuff ahead of them and I'm proud of them and they work they've done.  I'm hoping the new counselors will be doing their best because they certainly do well in their training!
Alongside 4-H camp this summer, I've gotten a scholarship to attend an acting workshop for a week in June!  I'm very excited to be going to this camp because from what I've heard, it's extremely useful!  Hopefully I can see some of the friends I made from the recent play I was in and make some new ones during that week!

Anyone heard of Pseudonymous Bosch, the author of a series called the Secret Series?  I'm on the way to challenging the original way of doing an author research paper by researching the author Pseudonymous Bosch, the pen name used as the author of the Secret Series!  But what better way to keep his fans intrigued in his mystery novels by making himself a mystery?  Truly a mystery master, but I'm hoping that with what evidence I have, I'll be able to twist the original author research paper into a very fun and challenging research project to even entertain myself!  I am quite persistent in my research!

"Not all novelists are power-hungry madman.  Some are power-hungry madwomen."
~Pseudonymous Bosch, The Name of This Book is Secret