[Image: Jeff Davis 4-H U Winners]JEFF DAVIS 4-H COMPETES IN BATON ROUGE AND SWEEPS COMPETITION
The theme to 4-H University this year was “Rush Into 4-H,” and the state 4-H president described how college students participate in fraternity and sorority "rush" and how is it similar to contestants rushing to compete in contests at 4-H U. Jeff Davis 4-H definitely rushed to Baton Rouge for the June 23-26, 2009, events and swept the competition.
Jeff Davis Parish 4-H was the No. 1 winning parish in the state of Louisiana at 4-H University.
4-H youth competed in more than 30 contests with additional assemblies, educational programs, state fashion show, tours and parish activities. Jeff Davis brought home 15 state winners and 46 blue ribbon winners. Competition at 4-H University is intense, but the competiveness is kept in perspective. The experience of participating in 4-H University and working hard makes everyone a winner.
“I am so proud of our 4-H members; they each worked hard and excelled in their contest. The youth showed excellent teamwork and dedication. I am proud to serve as 4-H agent to such outstanding youth”, stated Kori Myers, assistant extension agent. “I cannot thank the volunteers who assisted us enough for all their hard work in making 4-H University experience a great success."
4-H University provides opportunities for youth to be elected to serve in leadership roles on the state level. Brittany Doise was elected to the 2009-2010 State Fashion Board and Laiha Bergeaux was elected to the 2009-2010 Science, Engineering and Technology Board.
Of our 65 youth from Jeff Davis Parish at 4-H University, the 15 state winners included: Beau Monceaux- ATV - 1st place –Winning the Educational Trip to San Antonio, Saige Doise –Automotive- 4th place-Winning the Educational Trip-San Antonio, Cyrus Vidrine & Daniel Guinn Computer Stimulation – 1st place – Winning an All in one printer, gift certificate to Best Buy & Kodak Digital Camera, Courtnie Pollard, Brittany Guidry, & Megan Inman - Consumer Food Judging – 2nd place -winning the Educational Trip to San Antonio, Courtney Priola & Kelsie Stark - Entomology Demo. – 1st place –winning the Gulf Coast Area Trip, Brittany Doise -–. Fashion Review – Special Occasion – 1st place winning the Educational Trip to San Antonio, Elizabeth Guinn – Horticulture Judging – Individual High – -1st place –winning the educational trip to San Antonio, Laiha Bergeaux, Mia Langley, an d Elizabeth Guinn-Horticulture Judging-Team Judging – 1st place -winning the Educational Trip to San Antonio’ Taryn McSpadden - Livestock Judging – High Individual – –1st place winning trip to Louisville KY, Joel Guinn - Resource Management – 1st place winning Educational Trip to San Antonio and Leah Moore- Soybean Talk – 1st place winning Educational Trip to San Antonio, TX
Blue Ribbon Winners from Jeff Davis Parish included: Mia Langley-Horticulture Judging – Individual High-2nd place, Alyssa Watkins-Career Preparation Interview – 7th place, Melanie Broussard-Child Development – 7th place, Rachel Bourne, Kristi Bourne, & Harley Domingue-Consumer Foods Judging– 3rd place, Christi Lavergne-Dairy Judging – Individual High – 8th place, Christi Lavergne, Morgan Richard &Emily Bertrand–Dairy Judging-Team- 3rd place, Maggie Mott-Fashion Review – Ready To Wear – 8th place, Lydia Faulk & Sarah Watkins-FCS Demo – 3rd place, Kelly Mott & Hailie Blanchard-Horticulture Demo. Use – 2nd place, Katelyn Dubroc, Kerri Duhon & Cassi Duhon –Horticulture Judging-Team Judging– 8th place, Christopher McVicker-Insect I. D. – 8th place, Joel Byrne-Livestock Judging-High Individual – 5th place, Hobie Landry, Joel Byrne and Taryn McSpadden-Livestock Judging-Team Judging – 2nd place, Dillion Richard-Photography- 2nd place, Mallory Monceaux –Photography- 3rd place, Rachel Brown-Public Speaking –8th place and Jillian Duhon & Erin Precht –Sports Broadcasting– 4th place.
Also participating in 4-H U were: Taylor Daggett in 4-H Has Talent; Gabe Fontenot in ATV; Kristina Moore & Caitlyn Bush in Compact Tractor; Laura Stacy, Gretchen Wild & Shelby Fruge in Consumer Decision-Making; Alex David and Joel Berken in Dairy Judging; Braden Williams & Blaine Berken in Diesel Equipment; Malori Williamson in Dog Care; Shelby Richard in Fashion Ready-To-Wear; Phillip Durio, Payton Fontenot, & Austin Bertrand in Livestock Judging; Kyler Royer & Hunter LaFosse in Outdoor Skills; Josh Bertrand & Caleb Bertrand in Poultry Judging and Brittany Naquin, Travis Cary, Morgan Fruge, Olivia Watkins in Clover College.
Attending 4-H University as well included: Kori Myers and Silas Cecil, 4-H Agents for Jeff Davis Parish, Allen Hogan, County Agent and Parish Chair for Jeff Davis Parish, Lana Myers, 4-H Leader, Cindy Doise, Project Leader, Tina McFarlin, Volunteer, Sherry Watkins, Volunteer and Karen Priola Volunteer.
4-H University is an annual event held each summer. Jeff Davis is #1 in the state this year and is already looking forward to sharing their great experience with others throughout the year as well as counting the days till 4-H University 2010. For more information about 4-H please contact our office at 337-824-1773.