[Image: image of 4-H'ers at LSU Campus]4-H University, a program designed for youth 13 to 18 years of age, continues to grow and improve each year. The program enables youth to broaden their education, learn about independence and build relationships with other youth as they experience the college lifestyle.
This year, about 1,600 youth from all 64 parishes in Louisiana came together to be part of this event on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. The St. Mary Parish delegation, pictured at right, consisted of almost 40 youth representing schools from throughout the parish. All the youth worked on the common goal of trying to achieve something new. 4-H'ers had a choice of competing in contests where they could win trips or opportunities to continue competing in their fields of interest or participating in Clover College where they had the opportunity to be part of noncompetitive educational tracks including Forensics, Creative Forces: Youth Educational Theatre Corps, Exploring the World of Sports, Make your Health Rock, or Robotics: Our Challenge - Your Solution.
Blue ribbon winners from the parish and categories of competition were:
Emily Chauvin and Michael Gianfala - Agriculture Demo
Hailey Hiles - ATV
Hailey Hebert, Ashten Hebert, Joe'l Pellerin - Horticulture Judging
Sage Daigle - Wildlife Habitat Judging
Participants in 4-H U and Clover College were:
Chantelle Ardeneaux, Kevin Ardeneaux, Kimberly Boudreaux, Emily Chauvin, Kristen Comeaux, Sage Daigle, Joanthan Dake, Nathan Dake, Sarah Dantin, Grant Darden, Braden DeMers, Eliska DeMers, Peter Derouen, Drew Folks, Margo Franklin, Michael Gianfala, Morgan Gianfala, Travis Glynn, Ashten Hebert, Claire Hebert, Hailey Hebert, Ryan Hebert, Sidney Tre' Hebert, Sherry Higgins, Hayley Hiles, Peyton Landry, Michelle LeBlanc, Zachary Lege, Jamie Minor, Brad O'Quinn, Reid O'Quinn, Elizabeth Overland, Jo'ell Pellerin, Ashley Punch, Amanda Rhodes, Winifred Rodriguez, Brandi Terral, Savanna Thibodeaux, Zachary Uze', Allison Vaughan and Elizabeth Williams.