The new year

Another year over, a new one just begins. So this year I took the leap of jumping into the biggest role I have ever had in my life. By becoming an officer on State Council. This has been challenging at times so far, but I have enjoyed it thus far and am hoping that won't change when we really start getting into our events. We have Farm Show fast approaching and if any of you that are reading this you should come see us at the opening ceremonies! The whole team will be helping out in different booths throughout the complex, or be showing their market animals. Those of you that show animals or projects at the fair I wish you good luck! I hope everyone enjoys the Farm show. Farm show won't be the same for me this year because I will not be competing down at the Farm show for Square dancing. The last few year's my county has gone down to compete in the competition, but this year my county was unable to find enough people that were interested in competing so we aren't going down. This year I will be attending Farm show with my State Council team instead, which will be just as fun I'm sure.

State Leadership Conference is Wild for Leadership and it is on its way here! I hope that those of you that will be attending the event is just as excited for it as I am. The team has been working hard preparing for this event the passed few months. Everyone will create so many memorable moments throughout the weekend by making new friends and gaining leadership skills. There will also be great inspirational speakers there to get you thinking and maybe get you inspired to do something different. Throughout the weekend hopefully you will learn something that you will want to bring back to your county and show to your own clubs. There is so much that you can do with what you will get from the weekend. This weekend adventure is around the corner, and soon will be here. It will be a blast and I hope to see you all there!

For now it is time to celebrate the coming year. I hope that some of you when you are planning your new year's resolution that you will try to include something for 4-H as well, even if it is something very simple. For example trying a new project, or going to one of the state events(which I encourage you to do!) or going for an officer position for your club. Whatever you may decide to do it will be worth your efforts, you will learn something new from the experience. Just try to stick with it, even when it seems a little rough, it will get better and I hope that when you look back at it in the future that you will be glad you tried it. Enjoy the holiday!



Happy New Year everyone!
Reporter
Danielle Knapp

New Year, New beginnings

“You can’t change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future.” Just like the quote suggests, the past is the past and it can’t be changed. It does not suggest, which it should, that the past is something to be learned from. The past is simply a tool that helps you improve, even if you didn’t have any mistakes.

December is a busy month for all of us: wrapping presents, sending cards and even listening to holiday music. For the State Council it is even a busier month with preparations for the PA Farm Show and State Leadership Conference. I hope everyone that is reading has sent in their application to attend SLC. It will be a roaring good time filled with many experiences that are not worth missing. Get ready to be picture perfect in a photo booth that will join us all weekend.

In the upcoming months our team will busy attending Farm Show, planning and attending SLC, while creating a memorable State Achievement Days. If you are visiting the Farm Show Saturday be sure to tune in at the opening ceremonies where you can spot us. If you are not up there for Saturday’s events you can stop by the 4-H booths in the Family Living building. This year there will also be a 4-H food stand selling pork BBQ.

Hope you all have a wonderful new year celebrating 4-H’s 100th anniversary!! A thought to ponder: “Don’t count every hour in the day, make every hour in the day count.”

Happy New Year!

Ashley Mohn

State Council Secretary

Looking back

The year is 2012 and six youth are headed for the farm show opening ceremony. This is possibly one of the largest nerve racking moments of the new year. I can't wait till the farm show.

2011 was definitely one of my best year while in 4h. I look back and see many opportunities, and achievements that I have completed. I have met over 100 new friends and gone on the greatest opportunity a 4Her could have. My latest trip to Atlanta, Georgia for the national 4H Congress, was definitely the biggest highlight of 2011. There has also been many other opportunities that i have had, not only on state level ,but in my county to. I enjoyed 2011 ,but its time to look forward to 2012 and all of its twists, turns, and obstacles it might hurl at me.

I am looking forward to 2012, are you? This is your VPI and Council Sentinel. Garrett Richardson

Turkey Time

I must say this month has been my favorite of my time on council, but yet there are still more to come. At the begining of the month my county held our Annual Leader's Banquet where we recongize the 4-H leaders in my county. This I was givin the chance to speak as a State Council members and also tell about my experience so far. I have also had the chance to speak with a few people from Range Resources.

Thanksgiving was a good time for my family and I, but my vacation where I can sleep in everyday was cut short. I was chosen back in July to be a representative from my county to attend The National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia. I left home at 3:00am on Friday and returned at 5;30pm on Tuesday. This experience was one that i wish i could have again. The first day we were there was our pin exchange which was really cool because everyone brought pins representing their state or the area in whih they came from. The second day we got to do icebreakers whhich I can honestly say helped me to meet so many new people. I meant a guy from Ohio, some girls from Hawaii and even a guy from Puerto Rico, there were tons more people that i meant that week. I even meant people from my own state that I didnt know before. Also i got to spend time with two fellow council members and enjoy that great experience.

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving, and if anyone went hunting, or is going hunting that they are safe and have fun.

Bridget
2011-2012 Historian

End of the year activities

The last of the autumn leaves have left the trees and cold weather is ready to settle in. November was one of the fastest months this year. It started of with a face to face meeting to start planning the fast approaching State teen Leader Conference in January. It is now the ending of November and I just got back from Atlanta, Georgia from the National 4H congress. I had a Mind-Blowing time. If I was allowed to attend next year I would.

Thanksgiving this was a extra special, because on November 21, 2011 the Lord gave my aunt a little package. This package was named Aiden. Unfortunatelly I was recovering from a cold so I wasn't allowed to hold him

As the snow begins to fly and the cold winds begin to blow only two things come to mind
,Christmas and Farm Show, both are very enjoyable and interesting. I can't wait for either of them. I want to wish everyone a merry christmas and a good luck to all the hunters out there.


,Your council sentinnel and VPI
Garrett Richardson