Fall is in the air!

The season of fall is upon us all. With the change of season we get to enjoy the scenic beauty while traveling places, because the leaves change to several different colors and create a beautiful sight. The bad thing is that with the change to fall it promises that winter will be here shortly. I will admit that I am not a big fan of that season. With winter brings a lot of fun things to do, but I don't like the cold that comes with it. There are plenty of you that do like winter I am sure and that is good news for you!



This is the time of the year where 4-H seems to calm down a little for my county. With it being fall it slows down a bit, because schools having started and the 4-Her's have less time to do things, but still we get together and think back over what happened during this year and plan for next year. My County Council group is currently planning our Achievement program which is only a weekend away. We get to dress up in board game characters, because our theme for that night is board games. I am still working on picking out who I want to be for that night and deciding how to go about creating my costume.All over County's are planning their own end of the year achievement programs, and I hope that they all go over with success and that everyone has a good time. For those of you that have already had that program I hope that you can think back on it as a great time.



Now even though you are going to be busy with school, and many other after school programs just remember to take some time to enjoy the change of the season. Some ways to do that is by picking apples and making cider, apple sauce or just eating them plain, or picking pumpkins, or raking up the leaves that fall off the trees and then jumping in them; because no matter what you are never too old for that!




Enjoy these fall days!


Danielle Knapp

Reporter

Sight to see

September Seventh started the beginning of a long battle for many in our state. Tropical storm Lee gave it his all and hit hard, causing flooding that can only compare to that of the hurricane Agnes in 1972. Within the Central Pa area, over 100,00 people were evacuated from there homes. There have been seven people who have lost their lives to this disaster. Trees and debris are all over the streets and and in peoples homes. As you drive down the streets all you see is piles of ruined furniture and trash from peoples homes, piles that are as big as cars.

Even with all that was going on, the first people to check-in to see if all is okay, were other 4-Hers. 4-H is a family, and this really showed during the flooding of 2011. I always knew that 4-her's were close but never knew how close. The night that the flooding happened, texts came pouring in, not just from other local 4-Hers but also from other around the state who heard what was happening.Everyone was seeing how they could help, or just checking in. Just getting that text shows how much others care. This event was one that we all hopefully don't have to go through anytime in the near future, but one that helped bring us together.

To everyone who was affected by the Tropical Storm Lee flooding, we hope you are recovering well, and know that we are all here for you.

Lia Schmittel

Vice President of Events

plan,plan,plan

As State Leadership Conference creeps closer to us every day, the state council has been thinking up ideas to make this years conference a roaring good time. So far we have thought up a theme and have pounced on a few ideas to keep the kids entertained. We have also hunted down our speakers and cornered them according to their presentations. we have also decided on some snacks. how does animal crackers sound! I know that you are thinking that it sounds a little corny ,but it can't be because corn isn't found in the jungle.


Our theme is Wild for Leadership, and as the name insiuates this year's conference is gonna be a wild time. As for now i can say no more about State Conference .I hope you are ready to break out your inner jungle self. Your gonna need it. So get ready to be wild for leadership. Hope to see ya there. State council Sentinel Garrett Richadson.

Starting a New Year

Hi everyone, my name is Sarah Bassett. I am soo excited to be serving as your 2011-2012 State 4-H Council President. First I would like to say some random facts about myself so you can get to know me. I have been in 4-H for 9 years (since I was 7), some of my projects include Horse, Air Rifle, and Teen Leadership. I have participated in many other projects, but these are the ones I enjoy the most. I participate in band, cross country, and track & field as extra-curricular activities. I enjoy reading and going on trail rides with my friends.
Last month at State Achievement Days 8 4-H members enthusiastically joined the council. We are all very excited about having the opportunity to represent the 4-H program across the state. After State Days we had a couple of weeks to do research on the 4-H program and prepare for Training and Orientation Weekend. Unfortunately by the time we got to the weekend we lost a member. However, while at the training the rest of us were able to start bonding. We have a long way to go in becoming a tight team, but I have faith that we will be come close shortly. I am excited about the themes we have chosen for the State Leadership Conference and State Achievement Days. I am also looking forward to conducting sessions on Parliamentary Procedure, as the council has decided to do this year. Once again, I am thrilled to have this chance to work with everyone this year.
Untile next time,
Sarah Bassett
Pennsylvania 4-H State Council President.

Hello everyone! I'm Bridget McConn and I'm the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council Historian for the 2011-2012 year! I'm 16, a junior at McGuffey High School and a member of this wonderful organization for 9 years. In those years I have carried numerous projects ranging from sheep, both breeding and market, hogs, breeding and market, market goats, sewing, babysitting and I'm sure theres a lot more to add to this list. I've attended day camps, SLC, Capital Days and many more 4-H events but this year will be the most exciting one, it'll be like no other year that I have had in 4-H!

This year started out the same way that everyone has. It was nothing special until I talked to my county extension agent. While we were talking I told her how much I had enjoyed attending all the State Events that she has allowed me to go to, I even mentioned how cool the blazers were that the council got to wear. After that she looked at me and told me I could wear one, now when she told me that i wasn't sure whether or not I really wanted to do it. I went ahead and talked to my aunts, one who has been a chaperone at all the events i go to, and the other is the FFA advisor at a neighboring school. I told both of them about State Council and they both said it would be something to try. So I got the application from Pam, filled it out and sent it in. I attended State Days where i had my interview and found out that I made council. However it never sunk in that i made it onto council until I stepped onto the stage with the rest of the new team. This team has already survived a weekend together, and that is the first of many more to come.

A new beginning..

Hey everyone! I am Danielle Knapp and I am your State Council Reporter.

So here we go! It’s the start of a new adventure for the team of 2011-2012 State 4-H Council. We have gotten past standing in front of everyone on stage during induction in July, and we just got finished with Officer Training this past weekend. The team is still getting to know each other, but we did have some bonding time during training. I am excited to represent all of Pennsylvania 4-H for the next year. I can honestly say that when I first came into 4-H I wouldn’t have ever imagined that I(me! Who was a completely introverted kid, that never spoke at all) would be stepping into such a position.

I am looking forward to this upcoming year. All of us at State Achievement Days were unsure about what we were getting ourselves into, and are still unsure about it at times. I hope that we all stick through it as a team, and grow into a great one that will create memorable times. This is going to be a chance of a lifetime. So we are going to make the best out of it. We are going to gain so much from this experience.

We are already off to a good start. During Officer Training we set our goals and picked out the upcoming event themes. We also got the chance to meet and hear from a lot of good presenters and took in so much information in such a small weekend. We learned a lot about each other and how to become a good team during this training, but we still have more to learn. By the end of this term, we are going to be a great team and wish that we could do it longer together.

This next year will be my very last as a 4-H member. It’s going to be filled with State Council duties, and I am sure I am going to be running around like crazy, but I know that if I need any help that I can ask many people, whether it be my family, my advisors, my fellow council teammates, or alumni council members. This is going to be something I will remember for the rest of my life, and I am glad that I took on this challenge before it was too late. I don‘t want to have any regrets as a member of 4-H, and this role will help me achieve that. I am looking forward to meeting everyone in 2011/2012 through being in this position of 4-H.

I hope to see a lot of you at the upcoming events!

Danielle Knapp

Your 2011/2012 State Council Reporter

Hi my name is Garrett Richardson. I am the Sentinel for the 2011-2012 PA state 4H council. i am 16 years old and I have been in 4H for 7 years. My 4H projects consist of pig, dairy, rocketry, forestry, wildlife, and cooking. My most recent adventure has been joining state council.

At the beginning of the year my county extension agent came to me and asked if I would be interested in joiing state council. Being the curious soul that I am, I asked her more about it. She then proceeded me to tell me about it. At first I was sold on the idea ,but then I found out that one of my older 4H members had been on state council. Her name was Laura Pifer. The more she talked about council the more I became interested. Then August came around and i found myself applying for council. The first major speech I had to write was to be given to all of the 650 State day participants. To be honest I was more than nervous I was petrified. I got up on stage did my speech and waited for my interveiw. The interveiw went fairly well. That night is when I would find out whether I made the cut or not. I DID!!!! That was the exciting most petrifying news in my life. Then I met the team. So far we have gotten along. We (the council) finished State Days. The next big event together Training Weekend. That weekend was the most challenging yet fun weekend in my life so far. No major problems have encountered the council yet.

Some upcoming events for the state council are:


Penn State Tailgate on September 24 from 9 am 'til 12 pm at the AG Arena
Feel free to come join us.

P.S. State Leadership Conference is coming up fast don't forget to register you wont want to miss it:)!!

Let the Journey Begin!

I had always lived in my sisters’ shadows doing the same activities they did but this year I wanted to change that. I wanted to step out of their shadows and start my own journey in the 4-H program.

While talking with my extension educator, the subject of State 4-H Council was brought to my attention. She told me that it would be a great opportunity for me because it stands for everything that I was looking for. I wanted to gain more experience in 4-H, make a difference in the program, and finally do something that was my own. I filled out the application and waited until I heard information back on what was going to happen at State 4-H Achievement Days. I was given the requirements and got to work! I wrote a one minute speech, a presentation on the Impact 4-H has had on my life, and prepared myself as best as I could for the interview. I gave it my best and I finally heard back that I had made it on the 2011 State 4-H Council! I was so ecstatic that it didn’t even matter to me if I had an officer position or not. To my surprise, I was named as the Vice President of Operations! I was so proud of myself that I had accomplished my goal and was given the opportunity of a lifetime!

The first event, as part of the new council, was Ag. Progress Days. It was the first time I attended and certainly will not be my last! I had a blast working at the Youth Building and meeting people from all over the state. Next came the Training weekend. At first, I had my doubts to whether I was capable of taking on my duties and making it through the year. But as the weekend went on, our council became more of a team and started to help each other get through the long and tiring weekend. They helped me bring my spirits back up and reassured me that I was capable of the responsibility. I am so grateful to have a supportive council and I cannot wait to get started working with them and representing the State 4-H Program!

Sincerly,
Liz McAndrew
State 4-H Council Vice President of Operations

The Beginning

Hello to everyone! My name is Lia Schmittel and I am your 2011-2012 State Vice President of Events. I am just over myself in excitement about this coming year.

I am seventeen and now a senior at Lower Dauphin High School. This year as part of my school day I am interning at the Dauphin County Penn State Cooperative Extension Office. I am very proud to call myself a Dauphin County 4-H'er. This year my projects include: dairy beef, breeding and market sheep, rabbits, chickens, pigeons, goats, swine, sewing, kitting, and baking. I am a member of seven different clubs in my county and also a club in Lebanon County. I joined 4-H six years ago after getting my first pair of rabbits. When not doing 4-H actives (which isn't very often) I can be found water skiing or at the local community theatre.

July was the beginning of it all. We had our applications in and were exchanging emails about the upcoming State Achievement Days. The nerves were building as the days drew closer. Opening ceremonies was our time to introduce ourselves to the rest of the delegates at State Days, man there were a lot of delegates there. The next day was our interviews, it was nerve racking but in the end wasn't that bad. Later that day we were brought together to meet the rest of the team and to get our offices. We were all in shock at that point, thinking what have I done and being totally excited at the same time. Closing ceremonies was our big night, induction. Standing out there in front of the all the delegates, knowing that you get to represent them for the next year was one of the greatest feelings.

After getting home from State Days we all had some time to let it all sink in and to enjoy a few weeks of summer. Ag Progress Days was here before we knew it. That was a great three days, talking with people and also getting to know each other. Our next stepping stone was our Training weekend. That was an intense three days, full of very knowledgeable speakers and fun team bonding. We learned a lot about each other and ourselves, and about how to become a team.

Come and join us at the Tailgate next month September 24th from 9a.m. till 12p.m. at the Ag arena!!
The year is full of endless possibilities and I am so very excited to see what it holds next.

Lia Schmittel
State Vice President of Events

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~