It's that time to dress up again

As the 31st dawned upon my friends and I we had to decide what to wear. Having no idea what to wear we just went and bought wigs. This head dress was not only a wig it's the world famous Mullet wig best thing ever invented. It was time to get candy, we did feel like 10 year old's again, it's funny seeing 17 year old kids have so much fun. Now all the candy down the hatch we wonder what's next? Maybe some turkey...Eh i cant wait for the snow!!! Winter is my FAVORITE season. When I was in grade school I loved waking up and seeing the 6 inches of snow, that had just fallen, covering the road and hope school is delayed. This year I am on my schools co-op program and go to work at 6:30am and work till noon then school. I still love waking up and seeing the snow cover the roads, just because I have my 4x4 truck to play on the roads. But I want this year to go slow. But any who untill next time your President of Events,

CJ Adams

Changing Leaves, Carhartt Vest, and Apple Cider FALL IS HERE

From the leaves changing colors to straw bales with pumpkins everywhere for decorations you know Fall has truly arrived. As council members, we are all continuing to grow closer and the friendships are getting stronger but we are always getting to see those hidden sides of members, that is their creative side. The October meeting was held in State College and every council member came dressed for the season. There was the pirate, the superheroes, the ninja, the Renaissance man, the reality star, and the none other than the State Council Advisors. Everyone is beginning to understand how each other works best and the certain strengths that one may have that another may not. A few of us helped out at the Bucks County 4-H Office Training the night before the meeting in State College so it was a busy weekend for State Council. I have to say guys this time I was really lucky to only have a five minute drive from Del Val to the training, no worries though the luck will get passed around. We are all in the thrill of planning the State Leadership Conference, it is going to be a great weekend! Don't miss out, register at your County Extension Office!!!!! As each activity passes the memories continue to be made, the leadership skills begin to become stronger, and the friendships become closer.

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

Ready for Winter

I would have to say that October is definitely one of my favorite months of the year. Despite the fact that it means that the school year is now in full swing, It is without a doubt the most beautiful month up here in northwestern PA. It also means archery, squirrel, and bird season. In case you hadn't caught on, I'm pretty much a hunting fanatic. I might just be one of those people that prays for snow during those cold winter months, so that in case my aim is a little off tracking my deer is much much easier. I actually look forward towards spending a few hours at the gun club and making sure my rifles are all sighted in.

On another note this school year is looking pretty good, and funny enough three of my teachers are either transferring to another school next year, or are retiring so they too have a similar condition to "senior-itis."

Thanks for reading my entry!

God Bless.

As council continues

As our council year continues we are all beginning to become more comfortable with each other learning more and more about each other every time we talk! We are learning to work together better and are having fun doing it. This month we had our first face to face meeting and I think all of council would agree we accomplished alot even though the meeting had to be cut down an hour do to half of council traveling to Bucks County (Close to the Jersey line) to help with their officer training on Friday night!! The officer training was a learning experience for not only the kids attending but council also because there were 3 of us each teaching a different office at the same time with different slide shows in the same room. A challenge yes, but we did it and I think the kids got alot out of it. The meeting the next day was fun. With council dressed up in there favorite Halloween costumes from Jersey shore characters to Batman, and even a pirate everyone looked great. We all had fun working on our State Leadership Conference. We are working hard making it a State Leadership Conference no one will forget. Council keeps us busy with monthly activities but we do not only promote 4-H together at state events we go back to our counties and work just as hard to promote 4-H. This month was a busy month for all 4-Hers since we had National 4-H week at the beginning of this month and alot of counties are wrapping up the year getting ready for a new one. In my home county (Somerset county) we had our awards banquet where I was asked to give a brief description of State leadership conference. I then did community service work at Red Ribbon Kickoff in my county promoting 4-H to the less fortunate kids in my county. Along with all my 4-H activities I have to keep up on my school but yet I still look forward to all the 4-H activities to come and am already excited to start the month off preparing for the farm show with my animals and with my square dance team. So as I finish up this post I would like to say Happy Halloween and have a safe and happy month until next time my fans!!

Sincerely
Your State Council
Vice President of Operations
Echo Kincaid

The most wonderful time of the Year

As Penn State football is in full swing and hunting season is to come this above all seasons is my favorite time of the year. Even though I am not a big fan to walk down my driveway everyday to catch that dreaded school bus=, the brown, orange, red, and bright yellow leaves make it all a little better and the occasional squirrel or a deer walking past the creek give me something to watch as I wait. Many people say fall is just the lead way to the long dreaded and dreary winter. I think winter is the warm up to the green spring. To leave everyone this month with a thought, the other day as I was in literature class I read a quote by an untitled writer. It went like this, "You will miss 100% of the shots you do not take in life. thanks for listening."

Sincerely
Jonathan Yoder.
2010-2011, Pennsylvania State 4-H Historian/Reporter

Trick or Treat

October, the month of ghouls, ghost, and goblins, but for me it was 4-H. It was a very busy month for me, as it started off as National 4-H Week. During that week I went to National Youth Science day and I gave a presentation to 4th graders at Loyalsock Valley Elementary School. I also had a few 4-Hers and I record a PSA to give to the local radio stations for them to play them throughout the week. All of these events were ways to promote the 4-H program and they were all very successful.
I even enjoyed a fall break from college and during that break I went with my 4-H club on a Haunted Hayride. The Hayride was fun and of course scary. Its something my club does every year and its always a blast, but the people with chainsaws scare me every time! School, work and council have been keeping me very busy because before I know it, its almost Halloween. So for thoes of you who are trick or treating tonight or tomorrow night Have a Happy and safe Halloween!

State Council Secretary
~Samantha Gstalder~

Stepping up to the challenge.

So far, since I have been elected to the position of Historian/Reporter on the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council it has been like a dream. I wasn't sure about the reporter part at first, but I became pretty good at technology in a short period of time. With everything going on in my life I have been keeping up with time management. I have lived by the saying that when a challenge is sent your way it is your duty to step up to it. No matter how big or small if you set your mind to it you can achieve it. Over the Summer and into this school year that quote has helped me out. I hope it does the same for you.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Yoder
2011/2011 Council Reporter and Historian

New friends or is it a family?

This August we all took the challenge to be on state council. We were all unsure of what we were getting ourselves into. We are still unsure of all the challenges ahead but I must say I am already enjoying the new friends I have made. Although I don't see them much right now, we all keep in touch like a distant family. This family is bound together with the love of 4-H. As our council year goes on I'm sure I will think of my fellow council members more and more like brothers and sisters and I'm sure I will think more and more of my advisors as the year goes on. I feel the year is off to a good start. We made a lot of progress at our training weekend and got a lot accomplished on our first conference call. I feel the 4-H Keystone Society tailgate was a huge hit and I had a lot of fun (even though Logan and I froze our hands off dipping ice cream). It's one of the little things I will remember about my council experience. I feel that our council works together well and that we accomplish a lot. I'm already having loads of fun on council and I think the other members are too. I just want to remind everyone to be thinking about State Leadership Conference you won't regret attending!

Until next time,

Your State Council Vice President of Operations,

Echo Kincaid :-)

Seth's Aptly Titled Blog Entry

This July, I decided I was going to run for PA State 4-H Council. I didn’t really know what State Council was all about, but I just felt like it was something I had to at least attempt. And I am sure glad I did! Every past member that I have talked to has said that it had been their single most rewarding experience yet. I can’t wait to grow and hopefully get those same benefits that they did.

Also, this year I started my senior year of High School. So this means I’ve spent most of this summer tying to get my 50 hours of volunteer work in for my senior project. I have been spending my hours dressed as "Eddie the Gun Safety Eagle". Eddie Eagle is a gun safety program that is sponsored by the NRA. Unfortunately twenty five pounds of polyester eagle on a hot summer afternoon isn't my idea of a good time. But I know that this program has benefited countless youth across the nation, since its development in 1988. I am so thankful that my 4-H leader for recommending it to me.

Despite the fact that summer is gone and fall is coming, closely followed by winter; winter means that my Dead Eye shooting 4-H club is going to be starting up soon. Dead Eye is not a club that runs all year round like many other ones do; so I am one of those few people that actually looks forward to December and January.

I'm Seth Jones, PA 4-H State Council VP of Internal Affairs, signing out.

God Bless.

Coming Back

Last year I spent my sophomore year of high school in Brazil as a foreign exchange student, which taught me to appreciate what I do in life and to do the most I can possibly do. While I was in Brazil I thought a lot about my 4-H clubs and the opportunities that they gave me. I thought it would be a good idea to run for council, I was the first person from my county, McKean county, to be on Pennsylvania State 4-H Council.

As I got back I have gotten back into the swing of 4-H and am now the president of McKean county council. One very inspiring person has passed away in our 4-H, Mr. Larry Stratton. He has been involved in 4-H since the 1940's. I have always looked up to him as a leader and a friend. So I initiated an award called the Larry Stratton award because he was such and inspiring person, we thought it would be appropriate.

Council is a challenge to balance with school, friends, sports, family and everything else we do in our daily lives. But I believe it will be a very rewarding experience to have. I am looking forward to a great year with all the new people I will meet and my new council friends that I can trust and ask questions without being judged.

All the Best,

Steve McFall
2010/2011 Sentinel

A Whirlwind of Adventure

These last two months have been such an adventure for me. The start of August meant State Achievement Days was just around the corner. I was getting prepared and nervous at the same time, knowing that I was running for state council. This was the first year that the 4-Hers running for state council would have to give a campaign speech. This speech was one of the hardest speeches I have ever given, and it definitely took me out of my comfort zone. That following day I found out I made it, I am the new 2010-2011 Pennsylvania 4-H State Council Secretary. Little did I know, state council would continue to take me out of my comfort zone.

With just being inducted into office, I was ready to head off to my first week of college. I am currently a freshman at Pennsylvania College of Technology, majoring in Baking and Pastry Arts. It was hard at first to adjust to the college life but I slowly got into the flow of things. Now that I am taking on College and Council my responsibilities have doubled. The State Council training was the first major challenge. It was long, tiring, and information overload! But the six other council members and I made it through the long days, we have learned so much about each other throughout that weekend, and we will continue to build our friendships.

After the training the work for council really had begun. To start off I attended the 4-H Tailgate which was a new experience for me. It was cool to see all the donors of 4-H, and I was able to meet a few of them. I spoke to one couple (before it was game time), and I asked them how they got involved in 4-H? The lady I spoke to said "she is a 4-H leader and they used to have different clubs for different activities". I asked her what kind of activities, her reply was "roller skating, bowling, .... and even stilt walking! I couldn't believe it, I guess 4-H really does take people to new heights (literally). It is awesome that 4-H can make that much of an impact.

September just flew by and National 4-H week is almost here. With me being on State Council this is the week to shine! I am getting ready to participate in National Youth Science Day which will be held at Penn State on October 6th. I will also be giving a presentation at Loyalsock Valley Elementary School, this will be for all the 4th graders and I will be talking about what 4-H is and some of the the opportunities in 4-H. I am excited to spread the word about 4-H and what the program means to me. This truly is an opportunity of a life time and so far, State Council has definitely been a whirlwind of adventure!

State Council Secretary
~Samantha Gstalder~

Another Chapter Begins

As my last years in 4-H I figured I would just do the same old things. Go to the fair, attend meetings, and go to camp. But this year is going to be way different. I decided to become a State Council Leader and make something different happen. We all met, a group of kids from all over Pennsylvania and had no clue about each other. At our first time together, at training weekend, we really got to know each other and are now good friends. Now I have a new group of friends to ask for advice and can trust to help me. With a busy year ahead of us we pushed through the weekend and moved onto new challenges.
As my 4-H year continues I get to travel to Georgia for National Congress. This is a new experience and cannot wait for it. Our regional camp is coming up and I can't wait to start planning for a great week of fun. As this new chapter starts I can only imagine all of the good times to come this year on State 4-H Council!