RUSH into Louisiana 4-H
Nineteen Madison Parish teens joined about 1,900 other youth, adult leaders and volunteers from across Louisiana for the annual 4-H University competition held on the LSU Baton Rouge campus June 23-26.
Second year delegate Lounesha Stewart placed in the top 10 percent, known as the Blue Ribbon Group, in the Child Development contest. Other contestants attending for the first time included Emily Clack (Child Development) and Kela Puckett (4-H Has Talent).
4-H University is what was formerly called 4-H Short Course and includes both the traditional competition events and the new noncompetitive Clover College training tracks. Madison Clover College delegates took part in a variety of seven-hour training tracks chosen according to their interests. Chuck Dockery, Buford Dean and Billy Dew completed the Robotics training, while Sarah Barry and Nia Hogan discovered more about the Operation Military Kids service-learning campaign. Amber Montgomery had a once-in-a-lifetime experience learning about the inside workings of the LSU Athletic Department, and Daisha Batiste and Breanna Crockett continued their skill development in the Health Rocks! program. Nicole Davis and Raven Sanders participated in the Citizenship Louisiana Focus training offered for the first time at Clover College, while Megan Marsh took an alligator tour as part of the Louisiana Wetlands track, and Joshua Allen gained valuable tips on planning for Geauxing to College. In addition, Kilonna Richardson, Jessica Alamond and Karsen Jobe worked with the New Orleans based drama troupe Creative Forces to learn how to develop theme driven plays, skits and songs to promote student action and intervention.
4-H is the youth development program of the nation’s Land-Grant University System and is a dynamic effort designed to help young people and their families improve their quality of life. In Louisiana, it is administered by the LSU AgCenter.
4-H University features 40 different contest areas ranging from ATV Safety and computer science to demonstrations, public speaking and personal development. Winners are awarded educational trips or opportunities to compete in regional or national events.
For more information about 4-H and other LSU AgCenter programs, contact the Madison Parish AgCenter office at 114 N. Cedar or call 574-2465.