Looking into the Ocean

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” The quote I just stated is a quote that I feel explains the experiences I will have as a Pennsylvania State Council member. Taking the first stroke into the water for applying to have a spot on council was nerve-racking, I wanted more than anything to represent the 4-Hers across the state, but having that weight on my shoulders for a whole year, seemed unbearable. Once I was told that I was chosen as a member during State Achievement Days and realizing that I was not alone, I had a team of other 4-H, made that weight just a lighter. As the 2011-2012 State 4-H officers gathered for our training weekend, it became evident how much of a team we are and how much of a team will become. We can’t see it now, but by the end of the year we will have a team of 6 sisters and 1 brother. In the short 12 months that we will be working as a team we will become more of a family.

I am currently a 17 year old senior at Conrad Weiser High School in Berks County. I have been a member of Western Berks 4-H Dairy Club for 9 years. This year I own 10 Red and White Holsteins as my 4-H projects. I am a member of my counties 4-H Development Board as a teen member. I hold the office of Vice-President in my local club. As a member of Pennsylvania State Council, I hold the office of Secretary. Becoming a member of State Council, I look forward to share my passion for the 4-H program to 4-Hers throughout the State. I am always willing to share my experiences that I had in the 4-H program with any 4-H member, leader, or supporter. I look forward to representing 4-H members and the 4-H program with the rest of my team at state and local events.

Now here is thought to ponder: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman

PA 4-H State Council Secretary,
Ashley Mohn

A team is like a high performance racecar. With the team being the car and races being different situation or events. If everything works together on a racecar, it will function as it should , and it can race and win many races. If only one piece on that entire car malfunctions, there is no telling what may happen. Everything from losing race to blowing the car completely apart. As that car goes to more races it gets new upgrades(skills). If you make sure all of your pieces are working together and are upgraded, that car can be the best car in the entire world. So this is my message to any council members reading this blog, let us be that High Performance Racecar. We already have are individual upgrades, lets put them together so we can have a fine tuned team. If you read this blog and think "Well Yeah a team has a fine tuned car with upgrades ,but that car isn't going anywhere without gas." My answer for you is our gas will be supplied with our positive attitudes, dedication, and support for each other. We just started our first race toghether its up to us to work as a team to win this race.

"When a team outgrows individual performance and learns team confidence, excellence becomes reality" -Joe Paterno

Giving up the Blazer

It's hard to believe how fast the month of July came to an end along with our council term. State council was an amazing experience and a wonderful opportunity. I got to share that experience with my 5 new friends and 2 great advisers.

Logan- You were always the one to light the fire
By pushing us to make our spirits higher
As president you made us work together
And overcome to make the best better

Echo- You were Logans' right hand woman, you made a good VPO
Reminding us of reports & blogs had us on our toes
Until one day at SLC you had us all rattled
Your main responsibility was to keep track of the gavel

Seth- You provided the council with entertainment and food
We had a lot of laughs, and you set the mood
We had no idea our VPI had such a soft heart
We only thought he like heavy metal, which was only the start
We later on found out he likes to fence and ball room dance

Steve- You were the Sentinal who made it fun
You put smiles on our faces, and made us one
You told us how neat your exchange to Brazil really was
The impact on your life made it the buzz

Jonathan- You were the one to jump into any conversation
You kept us strong by providing a good foundation
We learned that you town might be handy
That comes complete with a shot gun granny

Finally...

Matt and Mya- You were our fearless leaders
That made us become better spellers and readers
I want to thank the both of you for everything you do
I will always be able to step up and take a challenge to anything that is new

We will have everlasting memories and a lot of inside jokes. We worked hard together which made us so great. Are time flew by so fast but we always have each other to make our friendships last.

From,
Former State Council Secretary
~Samantha Gstalder~

Wrapping it all up.

Well, this has been a great year with so many unforgettable memories made. I can't believe that it has nearly been a year since this years council was inducted. State Council has opened an uncountable number of doors to me. With out it I wouldn't have made the friends I have, seen the places I have seen or done the things I have done. Later this month is our last event, State Days. I am have very many mixed feelings about it because it will be a blast, as all the other events, but I will be saying goodbye to my position by passing it on to the Pennsylvania State 4-H Council Sentinel. I hope to see many of you at this wonderful event and I'll see you all soon.

Less than one month

The realization set in the other day of how far I have come and how much I have grown as a person mentally!! (physically I'm not sure ill ever be very big) But state council has given me opportunities that I will never forget and it has changed my life. I have written blog after blog and done report after report and met person after person but the memories have and the experiences i have had will forever be near to me. The friendships I have made I feel will be ever lasting. State council was something I was unsure about and at times thought to myself I'm not sure if I can do this but I'm glad I stuck with it.


On a happy note as a way to finish out our State Council experience we are heading to Tennessee in 2 weeks as a council we will surely become closer! State days will be our last big adventure together but its sure to be lots of fun. The tears are sure to flow on retirement day and we will travel our separate ways but we will all keep in touch and stay life long friends.

Until the next time
your state council VPO
Echo

And I'm Off

Every day, people ask me if I an nervous about basic training or the air force, and I always tell them the same thing; "Not really.'' I've just been so anxious to finally get in all these years, that the idea just isn't really that intimidating anymore. The only thing I have really been nervous about, is the Texas heat. I have never been particularly fond, of the humid summers here in Pennsylvania, Texas is in a whole new heat index! But I look forward to a change of scenery every now and then, and I'm particularly excited for my tech school, where I am going for Security Forces training. As of right now I'm planning on becoming a law enforcement officer after I get out of the service, but I might just end up staying until I am qualified for retirement! I'm not too worried about deciding what I want to do when I get, because I have four years to decide on that.

Thanks for reading, and God Bless.

Seth Jones, VP of IA

Memories

The month of June flew by right before my very eyes. State Days is right around the corner and my final year of 4-H is slowly coming to an end. I did enjoy my last year of camp this past week. I was the team leader of Phineas and Ferb, and it was an amazing experience. We all became a large family and had so much fun playing games, singing songs, and line dancing. As the week ended it hit me hard knowing that it was my last year, as a camp counselor, but I know I will always keep the fun memories in the back of my mind. As I move forward in my life I do have a few things left to look forward for the rest of the 4-H year. Those thing are my county fair which I am very excited about, and State Achievement days which will be a bitter sweet event to go to. State Days is the last time our State Council will be together and we will be inducting the new council. It will be sad to say goodbye to everyone and give up our positions, but it will be great to see the smiles on the new peoples faces as they get inducted. As a council we worked hard together and made it through a lot. We all did a job well done, and good luck to the new applicants for council, because this experience is a once and a life time opportunity.
State Council Secretary
~Samantha Gstalder~

Put on your seatbelt!

Too many times in life it is commonly mistaken that things always get easier towards the end of your assigned task, assigned duty, etc. However as the months continued to disappear and now having not even a full month waiting ahead the path has just had a few move bridges to cross.
The past month has left before we were even ready for it to begin. Summer is also now truly here. The pools, the friends, the fairs, and yes who could ever forget to mention those summer jobs that aways accompany summer. If anything the time has began to slip away even quicker instead of slowing down. July is here and that means our exchange trip to the Great State of Tennessee and then returning to the Keystone State to MC the 2011 PA State 4-H Achievement Days. Not just have the last 335 days been unforgettable, life changing, and even sometimes challenging but nonetheless I know that the last 28 days I have no fear will be all of that and so much more.
There are so many events and challenges that we try to prepare ourselves for as young adults becoming adults. We prepare to walk across the stage and receive our High School diploma, move away to college, a full time job, and even aging out of those youth organizations that got you to where you are today. We can prepare and prepare and prepare yet once those days come and we must give up the known to walk into the unknown we have to remind ourselves that the journey ahead will only broaden your horizon. I personally thought leaving high school and moving onto college was going to difficult but that was only the preparation for what I am going to feel and experience at the end of July. No longer being a traditional member of an organization that has help me to obtain so many accomplishments, built so many friendships and has created endless opportunities that continuously raise you above others.
This last month is going to be far from easy but I know it will be one of the most memorable months of life. Team, we could have never made it this far without each other. THANKS! You each have helped to make this a journey of a lifetime.

Your 2010 - 2011 Pa State 4-H Council President,
Logan Hall

Miss You In The Heartbeat

As I look back on the time I have had this year I can not believe it is already gone and I wish I could slow down the clock. I think they should change the name from council to family, becuase that's what we have come to be and we have overcame some of the obstacles that a family has to overcome to become one and thats what we have done in the last year. We all have our own identity but we can come together and form something that  becomes one and that is something of greatness and something that is hard to explain in words but that you have to experience for yourself. As the title says, it comes from a song def leppard wrote before they all went on there final tour and thats how I feel. As we all will go our seperate ways after we leave the stage I grant the best of luck to the ones that take our place and as we leave we all think it happened so fast this past year it was as if it was just one heartbeat and we will all miss it and wish we could go back and make it last longer but if you look to the past, you might miss the future that lies ahead for us all.

Thanks and God Bless,
Jonathan Yoder  Reporter/Historian

FUNd 4 YOUth

A few weeks ago, Crawford County had our annual FUNd 4 YOUth auction, where 100% of the proceeds go to Crawford County 4H. While attendance was down this year, we did in fact receive a thousand dollars more than last year! We are so grateful for all the local businesses and individuals that donated items and took the time to come out and bid on items. Even though my 4H career is rapidly coming to a close, I'm glad knowing that we have so many supporters in Crawford County, and I hope that 4H is around for many more years.

God Bless

Seth.

As the time ticks away

As the time ticks away I have realized I am a senior! WOW a senior it hits you from out of no where! I look at my past year and I have had so many giant accomplishments. My last year has been like a crazy dream that I'm so close to waking up from! The last few months of my dream will be filled with exciting adventures and memories that I will forever hold near and dear to my heart. My last few adventures will include a trip to TN with my great council friends and advisors and also state days. My fellow council members and my advisors are amazing people that I'm so grateful for. They have become my support system but not only a support system when I'm down they pick me up. When I need a laugh they make me laugh. They help me out as much as they can with whatever they can. The past week has been a rough one and my fellow members and ad visors were very understanding. I'm so thankful to have had the opportunities to meet such amazing people. And as the time ticks away the end will be bitter sweet. I will be very upset to be finished with council but ready to move on to the next big challenge in front of me.

TWO MONTHS! SLOW DOWN!

Summer has arrived! My freshman year in college has officially come to a close and summer has begun. The rumor that summer consist of relaxation is pretty much a myth. I have continued to stay busy with 4-H council duties as well as working summer jobs. However, if I had nothing to do I would be bored to no extreme. I know that all of the hard work pays off in the end and as the council year has two months remaining. Getting the chance to make trail mix at Fox Chase Farm near Philadelphia during Farm Table Day was a great way to give back and work with kids. Working with our younger youth is one of the most rewarding opportunities, they are our future. It is our duty as older youth and adults to help equip them with the skills to excel and succeed in life. Now that summer is here the month has done nothing but gone by faster, June is here.
As my last 4-H summer takes it's stance I know each event and each memory will be everlasting. I am going to miss raising my summer 4-H projects for the 4-H Round Up. The time spent and the hard work that is put into each animal to have them at their best quality for fair and round up. I know the month of July and August will bring bitter sweet moments but each one will build memories that will be with me forever.
Looking ahead these next two months are going to be filled with events and activities that build the bonds closer and bring each one of us together even more.

Soak Up The Sun!

Your Council President,
Logan Hall