An end with new beginnings

The end is approaching for my council term. People that I have met through this opportunity will be greatly missed. No matter how much I will miss the people and the events that I will no longer be helping with, I know new 4H members will have their opportunity to experience the thrill of being a State council member. State Days will be exciting week, with the Kentucky state officers coming to hang out with.
This was an awesome 4H year I will miss it.

Farewell and good luck!

This is it. The end of my long journey of a 4-H member is coming to a close shortly. Next week will be the last event I will do as a state council member. This weekend is my last 4-H horse show, unless I make it to my districts. It has been an amazing experience and I cannot imagine how my life could have been without the program. It has given me so many opportunities and I have learned so much from being a part of this wonderful program. It took me a while to think about what I was going to put as my last blog, I had some trouble getting it started because I knew this would be the very last one…

Right now what I am focusing on is my Horse show this Saturday. I am hoping to fulfill my goal that I set out in the beginning of the year. I have been working very hard with my mare throughout the year and cannot wait to see how all that hard work pays off. It is my last year as a 4-H member and I cannot believe that it has gone by so fast. It has been one of the best years of my life and I am so grateful that I made the choice of applying for State Council.

I have met so many people through this great opportunity and created yet another family. It will be hard for me to adjust back to not traveling around the state as much and not having a 4-H event to go to almost every weekend. I will miss my council family dearly, because now that our term is almost over we won’t be going to as many events together so we won’t be seeing each other as much. I will miss all of you, but I will try to keep in touch! Olive you all!

To the new council, remember that everyone counts. No one person is better than the other because they got a higher position. You all have to work together and become the best team you can be. Also remember that communication is key! There is nothing wrong with asking a question to be sure, so that no one is confused or is left without knowing something. There will be times that you won’t want to continue with State Council, but make sure you talk it out with your advisors and council because you may just be really stressed and not thinking clearly. There will be times where you cannot get along well with another member, but it passes when you have things you need to get done and you get over it.

You will create many memories you’ll take with you after, several inside jokes, and will have many late night conversations at events. You will lose sleep, but it will be worth it in the end, trust me! You might even be able to sleep in when you get back home after an event, depending on how busy the next day is for you. Just remember to be there for one another, and be the best you can be! The 4-H program needs you at your best when you are representing it, and together you can help each other out to be just that.

I wish the new council good luck on their year and if you ever need anything don’t be afraid to ask one of us for help.

Danielle Knapp

Pennsylvania State Council 2011/2012 Reporter

Change is good

This year for Clearfield County's 4-H Horse roundup, our county decided to do something different. Instead of having our show at our traditional spot in Clearfield County, we decided to partner up with Centre County and have both of our shows together, at one location, in the same rings, and on the same day. This was definitely a first for both counties but had one awesome spot to have the show, at the Grange Fairgrounds.

For me, this was a unique opportunity because this was the year I decided to show my hunter/jumper horse Mac. Luck-fully my horse had been there before but this would be my first time jumping him at a 4-H horse show! I was definitely excited but a little nervous. It made me feel a lot better that we were at the Grange Fairgrounds though because their ring had a lot of space and great footing so I knew that he wouldn't slip or not be able to make his turns. The time came for my class and my excitement and nerves just went straight to all nervous. Thank goodness my trainer was there to straighten me out and calm my nerves. I went in the class as confident as I could and performed at my very best! I came out and was happy with my jumping and hopeful that I had scored high enough to move onto the district level. Not only did I score high enough but I also received first place! I was so proud of not only my horse, but also myself for going in and forgetting about my nerves.

Looking back, I now realize this was my first and last year to show on that fairground for my 4-H County roundup because next year I will be too old to be in 4-H. It's amazing that I've been in 4-H since I was 8 and have shown every single year but it's sad knowing that this is my last year. I am going to miss being in 4-H and showing my horse but I will never forget what it has done for me. It has made me a better leader by being an officer, a better person by learning to give to others and help the needy, and a better rider because I learned to never give up and to always try my best. Sometimes change needs to happen in order to realize how far you have came in something and to be proud of it.

Sincerely,

Liz McAndrew

PA State 4-H Council Vice President of Operations and Events