| [Image: Natchitoches Parish 4-H] |
| [Image: Matthew Wilkerson receives a blue ribbon in Diesel Operations from state 4-H Vice President Jonas Augustine] |
| [Image: Brittainey Nelson and Katie Benitez pose after receiving their blue ribbons in public speaking. ] |
4-H University, formerly known as Short Course, was held June 19-22, 2007, on Louisiana State University’s campus in Baton Rouge, LA. Twenty four 4-H’ers from Natchitoches parish attended the event. Attending 4-H University with the youth were Hubert A. Wilkerson, II, County Agent; Laura M. Brumbaugh, Assistant Extension Agent, 4-H and Gwen Taylor, Extension Agent, FCS/4-H. Adult Volunteers attending were Belinda Paige, Fredda Burns and Marletta Jackson.
This was the 93rd year for the event, where more than 1,600 4-H’ers and volunteer leaders from Louisiana’s sixty four parishes converged on the LSU campus to participate in competitive activities and learning experiences.
With the theme, “Welcome to the Big Clover”, 4-H’ers not only got to explore LSU’s campus and see what college life is like, they also participated in educational activities and evening programs.
During the day, 4-H’ers either participated in contests and educational activities or Clover College.
There are over 40 contests for 4-H’ers to compete in including Agriculture Demonstration, Computer Simulation, Dog Care, Livestock Judging, Fashion Review, Sports Broadcasting and Wildlife Habitat Judging. In addition to competing in a contest, 4-H’ers must attend an educational activity as well. 4-H’ers could tour a working dairy, a children’s ward of a hospital, a biomedical center, or athletic facilities.
Clover College is for the 4-H’er who does not want to compete. Three 4-H’ers from Natchitoches parish participated in Clover College. They were: Zachary Page, Myeshia Mitchell and Ronesha Boston. Clover College offers eight different educational tracts and gives students an opportunity to learn about program development, service learning projects and leadership and social skills. Each track requires students to attend seven hours of instruction. 4-H’ers from Natchitoches parish participated in Who Wants to be a Camp Counselor? And Exploring the World of Sports.
Twenty 4-H’ers from Natchitoches parish competed in 4-H University contests. They were:
- Katherine Bowen - 4-H Has Talent
Katherine sang Red High Heels.
- Brittney Wells - Ag Product Demonstration
Brittney demonstrated how to make Seven inning stretch chicken salad and gave a talk entitled Play Ball With Chicken.
- Joleen Llorence - Ag Product Demonstration
Joleen demonstrated how to make Southern Shrimp Dip and gave a talk entitled Shrimp-A Louisiana Treasure.
- Zach Gibson, Logan Ohnoutka - ATV Contest
- De’Eisha Johnson - Child Development
- Stephen Benefield - Compact Tractor
- Justin Benefield. Matthew Wilkerson - Diesel Operations
- Michaela Burns, Mariah Metoyer - Environmental Threat Resolution
- Hannah Martin, Jameisha Paige - Fashion Review-Ready-To-Wear
- Cady White, Ariel McDonald - Horticulture Demonstration, General
Cady and Ariel demonstrated how to use sunflowers in your wedding bouquet and arrangements.
- Katie Benitez, Brittainey Nelson - Public Speaking, Any Other Topic
Katie talked about teenage dating violence. Brittainey talked about ethanol, the former moonshine.
- Adam Dalme - Small Engine Demonstration
Adam did a demonstration on how to season a small engine for storage.
During each night, there was an evening program that all 4-H’ers attended in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. On Tuesday, June 19th there was a performance by Team Impact. Team Impact is comprised of 230 athletes with backgrounds ranging from the NFL to professional wrestling. The team uses feats of strength to capture the students’ attention while promoting a positive message of motivation and achievement.
On Wednesday, June 20th 4-H’ers enjoyed keynote speakers Art and Gail Moore. The Moores are a husband and wife team who operate Yes I Can, Inc. Art is a former professional football player and Gail is a contemporary Christian recording artist. They each use their unique skills to help teach youth to turn negative situations into positive ones through hard work, patience and making the right choices.
The last evening is when the coveted blue ribbons are handed out to those who placed in their contests. LSU President William Jenkins spoke to the 4-Her’s before the winners were announced. Jenkins, a native of South Africa, has presided over the LSU System as president since 1999.
Congratulations to the blue ribbon winners who were announced from Natchitoches parish:
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Katherine Bowen - 4th Place - 4-H Has Talent
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Brittney Wells - 2nd Place - Ag Product Demo
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Joleen Llorence - 4th Place - Ag Product Demo
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Zack Gibson - 12th Place - ATV
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Stephen Benefield - 12th Place - Compact Tractor
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Matthew Wilkerson - 7th Place - Diesel Operations
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Cady White - 11th Place - Horticulture Demonstration General
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Ariel McDonald - 11th Place - Horticulture Demonstration General
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Katie Benitez - 7th Place - Public Speaking Any Other Topic
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Brittainey Nelson - 9th Place - Public Speaking Any Other Topic