Members of the Louisiana 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology board met this summer to establish plans for their involvement in various 4-H projects and programs during the coming school year.
The recently created 18-member board’s major purpose is to encourage other 4-H members to get involved with science, engineering and technology projects available through the youth development program. But its members also support 4-H programs in other ways, such as helping to build Web sites, serving as photographers/videographers for events and assisting with camps focused on science, engineering and technology.
“Our goal is to provide these teen leaders with the skills and training they need to go out and lead 4-H’ers in the parishes and their areas in science, engineering and technology projects,” said LSU AgCenter information technology analyst Katina Hester, who serves as one of the advisers to the group.
Members of the board for 2008-09, who kicked off their involvement with the July 16-17 meeting in Baton Rouge, are:
Joshua Hippler, Sabine Parish, Chair
Ryan Trusclair, West Baton Rouge Parish, Co-Chair
Tara Grimm, LaSalle Parish, Reporter
Jamieson Dill, Vermilion Parish, Videography Chair
Cameron Durham, Calcasieu Parish, Photography Chair
Elaina Vercher, Ascension Parish, Environmental Conservation Committee Chair
Ridge Miguez, Iberia Parish, Wildlife and Livestock Committee Chair
Joy Semien, Ascension Parish, LOST Camp Coordinator
Ian Brasseaux, Iberia Parish, Web Chair
Micah Patout, Iberia Parish
LeAndrew Love, Madison Parish
Gabe Stelly, St. Landry Parish
Daniel Adams, Tensas Parish
Mary Beth Bourque, Vermillion Parish
Mathew Lee, Webster Parish
Bradley Miller, Webster Parish
Callie Shaw, Webster Parish
Cody Jouett, Cameron Parish
In addition to making preparations to this summer’s LOST (Louisiana Outdoor Skills and Technology) Camp, a part of the group’s July meeting in Baton Rouge included an educational session with the North Carolina Technology Team on using Global Information Systems (GIS).
Among the group’s major plans for the year are working to establish 4-H photography clubs in each parish, coordinating a statewide “service learning” project on recycling and launching a campaign to establish a $10,000 endowed scholarship for those who show exemplary leadership in 4-H science, engineering and technology.
4-H is the youth development and educational outreach program of the nation’s land-grant university system and is operated in Louisiana by the LSU AgCenter. Currently celebrating its 100th year of serving Louisiana young people, the 4-H program teaches life skills that can benefit youth, their families and their communities – by involving them in projects and programs focused on topics ranging from cows to computers and family life to photography.
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Writer: Tara Grimm at kandie_gurl_14@yahoo.com
Editor: Tom Merrill at tmerrill@agcenter.lsu.edu