National 4-H Congress 2012

Part of PA 4-H delegation to National 4-H Congress 2012

Ok -so check out this picture.  It's part of the PA delegation getting their 4-H Swag on at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.  Look closely... Do you see it? 

     While many others were chasing the Christmas buys of the year on Black Friday, I was beginning my adventure at the Harrisburg International Airport!  We had to check-in with our group of ten by 5:30 am!  Not sure what to expect, I boarded the plane in anticipation of this years National 4-H Congress.  I had heard reports from other friends who attended in prior years that is was "life-changing", "amazing", and much more.  So far, I haven't ever been disappointed in any of the opportunities that 4-H has afforded me, so I was very excited and honored to have been selected to attend this year.     

 

     For my county, there were only two delegates afforded this trip.  So, the trip began with the usual, oh my, we need an ice-breaker here feeling.  At first, there wasn't a lot of "meshing", but we were all getting along just fine.  We landed in Atlanta, rode the train, and arrived at the magnificent hotel complete with five glass elevators transporting visitors to one of over 22 floors!  After getting settled in, we grabbed lunch, played cards, began "meshing", and got ready for a night full of events.  First up was dinner, then a state meeting, a pin exchange with many of our country's finest 4-H'ers, and then we were treated to a speaker.  If you haven't been to any 4-H events with public speakers, please take the time to do so, whether it's for State Leadership Conference, State Achievement Days, or any other event!  On this night, our speaker, Dan Thurmon, spoke to us about how to become a "Catalyst for Change", the theme of the conference.  He was fantastic!  His message was to never underestimate yourself.  Don't ever think that your younger kids in your club aren't looking up to you, because they are.  Set goals for yourself, always add to your list of goals, and don't be afraid to fail, it's how you learn.  Ok, we all got a lot out of this day and we still had four more days to go!

 

     For our second day, we began with a state flag ceremony and several workshops including team-building, speed meeting, baking, diversities, Pilate's, robotics, and more.  Later in the day, we were treated to an international dinner and a dance.  I enjoyed trying all of the different foods from so many different countries and the food was amazing!

 

     Some of the highlights on Sunday included an Inspirational Assembly delivered by a Holocaust survivor, very powerful and something that so many of us really should hear to appreciate all of the blessings in our lives.  He touched everyone of us as you could hear a pin drop in a room full of teenagers.  Our lunch was at the Fire of Brazil, another new experience.  Following lunch, I attended workshops and would you believe, I had a "baking workshop"?  After that lunch?  Oh boy!  I was stuffed!  Before I had any room in my stomach, it was time for dinner at the Atlanta History Center.  We didn't just eat, there were great shows!

 

     On Monday, we started with breakfast and then attended community service events.  I was assigned clean-up at a park in Atlanta.  I was struck by the fact that all the 4-H'ers that worked that day accomplished as much as one person working an entire year, and we weren't even there that long.  They were very appreciative of our attendance.  We then went on tours of Atlanta.  The one I experienced was the Coca Cola Factory.  Later that day, we had a Gala and dance.  Remember me telling you about those needed "ice-breakers"?  Well, they weren't needed anymore. 

 

     Sadly, Tuesday was our last day, but in usual 4-H fashion, we were treated to another speaker, Dan Clark.  He talked to us all about words and how they really influence us.  He also delivered a story about his version of "The 4-H's".  He, like all the other speakers, was very impressionable to say the least and I took a great deal from each of them.  Like all good things, our time came to an end.  Everyone had a great time and our trip home that day, you would have thought that we had been friends for years!  If you are ever asked or invited to go to National 4-H Congress, GO!  One more thing, the picture at the openning of my article - we are spelling 4-H.

 

       

 

    

 

    

 

Things are looking good!

As an end of the year party, my county council and I went to have a bit of fun celebrating Pennsylvania 4-H's 100 year birthday by playing laser tag, roller skating, and eating cake!  We recently started a local Theater Arts Club that I couldn't be more excited for and are soon having elections in our county council for offices, and so far, I seem to have votes for president!  I'm excited to start the new year and even more excited for the things I get to do!  Farm Show and State Leadership Conference coming up!

On the other hand, with marching band season over, I've been working on breaking my horse and my soccer team will soon start indoor soccer training, hopefully it's just as exciting as the tournament I played in a long time ago.

Until next time,

Stephanie McFall

Pennsylvania 4-H State Council

State Council Representative

Venturing Outside of 4-H

I’m sure that for most of you, 4-H is not the only extra-curricular activity that you participate in. Whether you choose to fill your spare time with sports, performing arts, creative arts, community service clubs, or just keeping up with school work, everyone is very busy.

Besides 4-H, my number one time commitment is my school marching band. In my high school, marching band is not taken lightly. We have intense practices that prepare us for our almost weekly Cavalcade competitions. Yes, the marching band schedule can be overwhelming at times, but band is truly rewarding. Being in my fourth year of high school marching band, I feel as though the other 97 band members and color guard performers are family, especially my instrument section each year. 

Since fourth grade, I’ve only played the flute or piccolo, but this year I tried something completely new. In the spring of my junior year, my band director convinced three of us flute players to switch to mellophone because we had three mellophone players about to graduate. Without really knowing what we were getting into, we switched instruments and were eager to learn this foreign brass music maker. I’ve had a ball this year with my five mellophone friends, and even more fun is to be had in the next few months with the opportunity to play mellophone in the school jazz band. Not to mention the great challenge of learning how to play French horn with them in concert band.

The phrase “time flies when you’re having fun,” is spot on. It feels like yesterday we were dripping in sweat and frying in the sun during the three weeks of hellish band camp, counting down the days until Championships--the end to the marching band season. But now we are here; the end is insight, and for some reason or another, I wish we could go back and relive the entire season again.

All Senior Band Members 

Just last week, we had our senior night at our home football game where they recognized the senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members. At the conclusion of this school year, we’re going to move on in our lives in hopes of achieving great things. Having my parents on the field with me and hearing the announcer tell the audience my future plans (to attend Penn State of course majoring in Agriculture and Extension Education!) really hit me hard. It’s incredibly bittersweet knowing that in just over a week, my high school marching band career will be over as I know it. In fact, this year will also be the end to our band director’s tenure after a notable thirty-four years in music education. I will never forget such a remarkable year I had with the Boyertown High School band and the mellophone section this 2012 marching season. Who knows, maybe my marching band career is not over. Perhaps you’ll see me marching with the Penn State Blue Band next year? I suppose all we can do is wait and see what the future has in store for us.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Stuetz

Pennsylvania State 4-H Council Secretary

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

4-H State Days Demonstration Heads to Nationals in Wisconsin

4-H State Days Demonstration Heads to Nationals in Wisconsin

After qualifying for the National Junior Horticulture event through PA 2012 4-H State Days, I had the honor and privilege to travel to Dells, Wisconsin for the demonstration category with my Small Scale Production demonstration.  I was to represent PA 4-H for at this event held October 4- 8!  My trip began with a 14 hour drive to Dells, Wisconsin the waterpark capital of the United States.  My parents accompanied me on this adventure.  I didn’t have any idea about what to expect, but I went excited and open-minded to enjoy every minute of this opportunity.  For four weeks, I grew plants that I would need for my demonstration.  These plants would have to safely survive the track with us half-way across the country.  Believe me, I was a bit worried that they wouldn’t survive the long trip. 

After arriving to the beautiful resort overlooking the mountains of Wisconsin, I checked into the event.  We set-up our display representing PA 4-H then headed to the opening ceremonies and dinner.  I met many great people from all over the United States, but I was the only Pennsylvania delegate.  We began with a flag ceremony and a flag bearer from each state being represented and were then treated to a delicious meal followed by a master gardening speaker.  Later, we met with the superintendent of each of the events to review what would be expected of us for the contests to take place the next day.  I left that meeting excited to do my presentation the next morning.  Did I mention that my plants survived the trip?

The next morning, we had a fantastic breakfast before heading to do my demonstration.  I carried all of my supplies to the room and waited for my name to be called.  When it was my turn, I set-up all of my supplies and tested my projector for the power point presentation and was soon instructed by the judge to begin.  Shortly after beginning, a man came into the room and sat to listen to my presentation.  When I was finished, that man turned out to be a 30 year veteran soils specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and he drilled me with a pile of questions that I was actually able to answer! 

With my demonstration complete, it was time to breathe easy.  So, since we were in Wisconsin, we headed to a cheese factory and a celebratory lunch.  We returned to our resort and enjoyed several hours at the in house water park.  The event then held a contest called horticulture connections which ran a bit like Jeopardy.  I was added to the team from Indiana and we did well.  The next day, we toured Dells Cranberry Museum, a cranberry farm, and rode on the Dells Ducks, a military style vehicle that operates in water and on land.  We toured and shopped in downtown Dells then returned to the resort for a state social where I met a number of great people from all over the country. 

The last day, we attended workshops and the awards banquet.  I could hardly believe it, but I was awarded Grand National Champion for my demonstration!  All of my practice and hard work paid off.  I began my quest many years ago when I first started 4-H.  I worked hard on several of the plant science projects that 4-H has to offer.  After several years of learning and practicing the techniques I learned, I can say that my project came full circle by entering PA 4-H State Achievement Days and earning the privilege to attend nationals. 

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I really enjoyed the entire experience and would love to attend the event again next year as it will be held in Williamsburg, Virginia.  If any of you are interested in putting together a horticulture team to try to earn the right to attend the event as a 4-H team, please let me know.        

Oh the Places You'll Go!

Hello Everyone!

4-H has taken me many places, exposed me to new experiences and has given me the opportunity to meet many wonderful people.  In 2010, I attended the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA.  This past March, I had the opportunity to attend the National 4-H Conference in Chevy Chase, MD.  At these two national events, I was able to meet people from all across the United States and even Canada.  As concerns for Hurricane Sandy arise, I cannot help but think about all the amazing and influential people that I have met because of 4-H.

 At the National 4-H Conference, I had the chance to work with such a remarkable group.  During that week, we became a family.  As our time together came to an end, we each made handkerchief bracelets.  The bracelets were to serve as a reminder about our times together.  When I look at mine, it always reminds me about those special friends I made.

Now as Hurricane Sandy makes her way towards the nation, I want my friends across the nation to know that I am here to support them.  I hope everyone stays safe and I will be thinking about you.

Until later,

Cassidy Baker

2012/2013 PA 4-H State Council President

#RT3

“Don't waste your life in doubts and fears:  Spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Already Preparing....

Hello Everyone!!!

How has everyone been enjoying this crazy weather? I think that Christmas is coming early!! But besides the point of the early lovely snow, everywhere around me is completely flooded; including all of my poor animals! I feel so bad for them but they have been handling it very well. My poor little farm show pigs got it the worst and they are even a little sick. But I'm sure that they will be better soon and then they will be completely recovered for the farm show! Which I am super excited for, I can't believe it is only 2 months away, it seems like school just started but the first nine weeks is already over! Boy does time fly! But I can't wait for the Farm Show and I'm sure everyone else feels the same way!

The Farm Show is one of my favorite times of the year and is a nice break from school right after Christmas! I show market swine and market goats at the Farm Show and I am currently raising four animals; two pigs and two goats. My pigs names are Cocoa and Mocha. They are both purebred Duroc barrows and they are such sweethearts. They have such personalities and a joy to work with! I can not wait to show one of them at the Farm Show but I haven't yet decided who that is going to be.

My goats names are London and Paris. They are both purebred Boer does and are darlings! They are super spoiled though and are looking a little porky so they are going to have to shed a few pounds before show day but they both look great and I am super excited to show my pig and goat at the Farm Show.

Some of you may not know this so I will briefly explain what I mean when I say that I haven't yet decided which animal I will be showing. At the Farm Show, you can only show one of a species of market animal so I can only show one of my goats and one of my pigs, but I will raise them both right up until the show so I can show the nicest one possible. Being that it is Farm Show and that I have worked with my animals very hard all year, I want to do as well as I possibly can.

Can't wait for the Farm Show! I hope I see everyone there!

Dawn Craft
PS4-HC- Vice President of Operations

The First of My Lasts

           You’ll never truly know how many of your activities you take for granted until you realize that you’ll never be able to participate in them again. I’m currently in my senior year of high school, and I’m finally aware of how different everything will be after 2013 comes to a close. Not only will high school be over, but so will my last year as a youth in 4-H.

            It didn’t hit me until last Friday, when my school’s football team played the last game of the season. The game determined whether or not the team went to playoffs, but to me it was whether or not I had another halftime performance. I’ve been drum major of the marching band for two years now, and it has been a huge part of my life. For those of you who may not know what that means, I’m the one conducting the band and yelling commands on the field.

            I was completely torn during the game. I wanted our team to win as I wanted them to do well, but the weather was getting bad. I was also pretty tired of band taking up four nights a week. Besides, the game before that was senior night and it already felt like the season should be over. Needless to say, I wasn’t sure what to think when halftime came around and we were winning. However, toward the end of the fourth quarter, our team needed another touchdown to take the game into overtime and possibly make it to playoffs. With ten seconds left, they were two yards from that touchdown. I already had the band prepared to play the fight song if they scored, or the senior’s choice pep-tune, “Louie, Louie”, if we lost. We were all ready, but when time was up and the other team had won I just looked at my director in dismay and told the band to sit down.

            I can’t honestly say I was hoping we would win the whole time, but I should have. As soon as the whistle blew and the game was over, it hit me. I’ll never be on my podium in front of the band again. I didn’t know how much I’d miss it until that moment.

            This next year is going to be filled with similar times for me, but I won’t be taking those things for granted. Not only in school, but in 4-H too. I'm going to make the most of  all of the state, regional, and county events I am fortunate enough to attend. From now on, I’m going to enjoy the things that I know will be over soon. I don't want to rush through things, I'd much rather have fun and make memories along the way.

At my tech school

          Hey this is John and I'm going to talk a little about my tech school: Erie County Technical School (ECTS). At ECTS I am in the Construction Trades lab. In this lab we learn about masonry, some electrical, but mostly carpentry. 

     This year my main project is the Sr. House. Witch is the biggest project in my lab. All the students that were in construction for three years, plane a house design and then we get to build it. It is an amazing feeling seeing what we design come to life. Just the thought that most of the kids in my class knew little to none about carpentry and masonry, and three years later in our sr. year we are able to actually build a house. 

     One more thing that I enjoy about ECTS is that they are a part of a national organization called Skills USA. Skills USA is a leadership origination specifically meant for technical schools. The reason for this is because Skills USA holds competitions for all the classes in tech schools. Last year at districts I placed third in Team Works with three other members, one last year sr. from construction and two last years sr.'s from Facility Maintenance. For Team Works we had to construct a small scale bathroom. I am plaining on competing in this competition  this year. The first place team at districts will to go to states, and the winner at states will move on to nationals. 

     I really enjoy going to tech and strongly recommend if you have the chance to go to a tech school that has your interest and you enjoy hands on work to take the opportunity it's a great choice.  I am able to build stuff around the farm and able to help someone that needs something made out wood just from my background at ECTS. 

Meeting the County Commissioners

WED 10/10/12

In celebration of 4-H week and in celebration of the Pennsylvania 4-H Centennial we were able to get the Berks County Commissioners to give a little proclamation in honor of Pennsylvania 4-H's Centennial.  It was quite a meeting.

The best part of the presentation was the excitement in the faces of all three commissioners as they talked about how good of a program 4-H is and how it is truly an honor to be giving this proclamation. 

I thanked the commissioners on behalf of the 4700 members of the Berks County 4-H Program and on behalf of the State 4-H program as well.  Here is a part of the Proclamation:

 

WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania 4-H Program is a program offered in every country anniversary in 2012, and

WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania 4-H has “Rural Beginnings” but has become a “Global Success”, and

WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania 4-H program of today evolve during these 100 years with the motto  “To Make The Best Better” and through the wise use of the four “H’s”, representing Head, Heart, Hands and Health, and

WHEREAS, the 4-H mission is to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self ‘directing, productive, and contributing members of society

Lawrence County teen retreat

Hey its John. Earlier last month I went and visited Cassidy and Beth at the hunger games that the teen council put on in Lawrence county.  I had a lot of fun at this retreat and was very impressed that a teen council that's only in its seconded year can put on such a successful  event!  I would say that my favorite part that weekend  was the food challenge. During the food challenge one lucky representative from each team, I was one, was blindfolded and placed at the front table to participate in this challenge. We had to choose between two options that were ether 5 or 10 points. I went with the 10 pointer every round. I feel that I did very well and that I finished every round within 5 seconds.  I did wish though that I could have seen the other competitors reactions because from the spectators voices It would of been something to see. I can't wait for the next Lawrence county teen retreat; I've had a lot of fun at the past two and hope that I have even more fun next year.  

The Start of Something New

 

This month has been exciting in Berks County.  Teen Leaders from across the county are hard at work in planning for the Centennial Celebration which is coming up very soon.  Also Berks County is proud to say it has formed a new club, Berks Robotics.  I and my trusted sidekick, Laura Dietrich, got the honor of starting the new club off by some icebreakers.  I was planning on amazing younger and older 4-Hers with what you can do with a deck of cards, but I grabbed a pinochle deck instead of a standard deck.  My sidekick, who I will refer to her as such for the duration, had everything she needed and was ready.  Her icebreaker was conversation balls that had questions all over that depending on how you caught them made you answer a question.  Hers was a success but mine on the other hand could have been better.  I found difficulty when I asked people to pair up based on number (10, J, Q, K, A) when there were eight of one number in the deck. 

The Club began extremely well with the kids learning basic engineering skills to kick off what they will be learning.  All of them can’t wait to begin building robots.  The first month’s meeting went by fantastically.  I also was surprised when I saw so many members that I recognized from 4-H Camp.  I knew that two were going to be there and the one ever told me that his two “darling” bothers, which I have been their counselor for ever, were not going to be there.  They were there which I was happy about.  After helping in these meetings I can tell that all of the kids are excited and egger to be new 4-Hers. 

I also can’t wait to see what the other teens have planned for the county's centennial event which will be held at the Berks 4-H Center on October 13^th. 

It's Never Too Late

A majority of 4-Hers can proudly say that they have been in 4-H for as long as they can remember, or even that they joined 4-H when they were younger because everyone else in their family has been in 4-H. But how often do you hear someone say that they started their first animal project when they were 16 simply because they wanted to, without any pressure from family traditions?

After attending National 4-H Congress last year and hearing countless 4-H stories from teens across the country, I came home with a new goal in mind: to complete my first animal project in 4-H. Up until this year, I had only focused on what I like to call the, “indoor aspects of 4-H.” Sewing, cooking, and leadership were my main project focuses, but I was ready to get my hands dirty and learn about a completely different aspect of 4-H that I had never explored.Through connections in my county extension office, I was able to lease an Angus heifer from my county livestock educator in Chester County. Starting in February, I traveled to her barn once a week and learned how to take care of beef animals and I learned how her beef production operated. Before February, I knew absolutely nothing about livestock, but I sure was eager to learn! Teaching me how to take care and prepare to show my heifer, was like trying to teach an eight year old how to sew. Everything had to be broken down to simple terms so I would understand.

All of my preparation from February on went into the Chester County Summer Beef Show in June. In June, I was a bundle of nerves, and so was my heifer, but I felt like we both learned a lot that day. That experience in the small show was so beneficial and it helped me be better prepared for the larger livestock show at our fair in August.

For me, a typical Chester County 4-H fair honestly wasn’t that special. I would prepare my garment that I sewed to be on display, finish up a scrapbook, make a display on 4-H camp or on leadership, and ship everything off to be entered. Yes, I visited the fair once or twice during the week and took a tour around the displays and the animals in the barn, but I never stayed more than a few hours. This year was completely different, however. Since I had to take care of my heifer, and help my barn partner take care of his two steers, I was at the fair as much as possible. I felt like I was constantly feeding, washing, walking, and looking after the animals for the three days that the livestock animals are at the fair. Certainly it was a lot of work at times, but it was one-hundred percent worth it. I left the fair saying, “I can’t wait for next year!” I learned so many new skills pertaining to how to work with animals. I gained a new appreciation for 4-Hers in the livestock program. I met numerous families in the Chester County livestock program who were so kind and patient when working with me.

Starting a new 4-H project in your later years in 4-H isn’t that common, but boy, am I sure glad I did! My 4-H Angus heifer project that I completed this year is probably my most memorable 4-H project I’ve ever accomplished because I did it out of my own desire and without the ability to fall back on my parents’ knowledge and assistance; I had to rely on other adults and my peers who were experienced in the livestock program. 

All in all, I could not be more thrilled that I made a bold move and went outside of my comfort zone and started a new 4-H project. I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for me. Who knows, maybe I’ll add another livestock animal to my list of 4-H project accomplishments.

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful fall weather!

Sincerely,

Cecilia Stuetz

Pennsylvania State 4-H Council Secretary

“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.” –Dave Barry