[Image: 2009 Evangeline 4-H U]“Rush Into 4-H” was the theme of the 95th Annual 4-H University held on the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge. Thirty 4-H’ers from Evangeline Parish participated this year. 4-H University is a statewide competition for Louisiana 4-H’ers who competed in many different categories or participated in Clover College.
This year’s 4-H University participants did a terrific job representing Evangeline Parish. Louisiana 4-H is an educational program of the LSU AgCenter.
Placing in contests were: Abigail Daire, Sacred Heart High, Ag Product Demonstration - 3rd Place; Nicholas Klumpp, Basile High, ATV - Blue Ribbon; Nickolas Bertrand and Jake McGehee, Basile High, Automotive Team - Blue Ribbon; Robert Fusilier, Sacred Heart High, Dairy Judging - Individual - 5th Place; David Scott Fontenot, Basile High, Diesel Operations - Blue Ribbon; Bryson Belaire, Basile High, Dog Care - Blue Ribbon; Austin Fontenot and Allison Fusilier, Sacred Heart High, Solutions Unlimited - Blue Ribbon.
Also participating were: Sarah Fontenot, Sacred Heart High - Career Preparation Interview; Craig Soileau, Ville Platte High - Compact Tractor; Caleb Duplelchin, Basile High and John Michael Fontenot, Sacred Heart High - Computer Simulation; Lainey Soileau and Meghan Vidrine, Sacred Heart High - Dairy Judging; Jordan Vidrine, Sacred Heart High - Diesel Operations; Allison Comeaux, Sacred Heart High - Fashion Review - Special Occasion; Lakaya Griffin, Ville Platte High and Martin Thomas, Mamou High - Family and Consumer Science Demonstration; Catherine Briley and Madeline Briley, Sacred Heart High - Insect Identification; Elliott Mire, Sacred Heart - Meat Identification; Brad Fontenot and Camron Fontenot, Sacred Heart High - Plant Science; Benjamin Bertrand, Basile High, Jacob Klumpp, Basile High, James Garret Nicks, Ville Platte High, and Brett Saucier, Sacred Heart High - Sports Broadcasting; and Kaylen Fontenot, Sacred Heart High - Wildlife Habitat Judging.
Participating in Clover College was Bryce Melancon, Chataignier Elementary.
In addition to the contests and educational sessions, 4-H’ers elected state 4-H Executive Committee officers, Regional Representatives, and State Board members. Elected to serve as the Southwest Regional Representative was Austin Fontenot, Sacred Heart High. Elected to serve on the Food and Fitness Board was Abigail Daire, Sacred Heart High and on the SET--Science, Engineering and Technology Board was Robert Fusilier, Sacred Heart High.
Accompanying these 4-H’ers was adult volunteer leader Angie Fusilier, along with 4-H agents Tina Guillory and Todd Fontenot.
We would like to congratulate these 4-H members for their hard work, effort and dedication to preparation for their contests. A thank you goes to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, friends and the community for encouraging and supporting these 4-H’ers in their quest during state competition. Also, a sincere “Thanks” to the people in our community and to the staff of the Evangeline Parish Cooperative Extension Service for helping train these young people and for the cooperation and support that was given.
4-H is open to all youth in grades 4-12 regardless of race, color, creed, or sex. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service and Evangeline Parish 4-H follows the nondiscriminatory policies and procedures in all programs and employment.