[Image: 13 4-H members from West Baton Rouge Parish attended 4-H University on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge]4-H University is an annual event held on the LSU Campus in Baton Rouge. 4-H members from across the state met to compete in contests, attend various educational programs and meet new and old friends. This year was very special because of the year long Centennial Celebration that marks the 100th year 4-H has been serving the youth of Louisiana. This year 13 4-H members from West Baton Rouge Parish attended 4-H University, they competed in contests, ran for state executive board and attended educational programs.
Again this year one of the many programs offered was Clover College, participants chose one of the Clover College “Classes” and over the course of the week they learned more about whichever subject they chose. There were two Clover College participants from West Baton Rouge, Holly Leblanc and Krystal Dupont. This was the first 4-H University for both of these 4-H’ers. During Clover College they learned the many different aspects of athletics at LSU. Topics covered were: what it means to be a college athlete, their schedules, getting ready for games and of course when they find time to study for their classes.
Also during the week, 2 members from the parish interviewed for positions on state executive boards. These boards help plan statewide events throughout the year and at 4-H University. The two members were Shelbi Graft for State Food & Fitness Board and Ryan Trusclair for State Science, Engineering and Technology Board. Both Ryan and Shelbi were selected to serve on these boards for the upcoming year.
Other 4-H University participants chose to compete in some of the many varied contests held during the week. The contests are designed to test participants knowledge of many different subjects through tests, judging contests, and the need to give speeches or demonstrations. This year West Baton Rouge Participants competed in : Automotive, Agriculture Demonstration, Agriculture Product Demonstration, Computer Simulation, Horticulture Judging, Fashion Revue- Ready to Wear, Forestry and Wildlife Habitat Judging.
In the Automotive Contest members Emily Guidry and Taylor Stumbo were tested on their knowledge of car maintenance and parts, and their driving skills. In Ag. Demonstration participants prepare and present a demonstration on a topic related to agriculture. Ryan Trusclair and Daniel Tullier gave a demonstration about “Getting to know your bearings and the importance of grease”, this presentation was all about bearings, their importance in agriculture and how to maintain them. In the Ag. Products Demonstration Shelbi Graft taught attendees and Judges how to prepare Sushi using the Louisiana Commodities of Crawfish and Rice, Shelbi also talked about the health benefits and economic benefits of these products. Ross Graft and Dylan Jason competed as a team in the Computer Simulation contest and showed their skill at flying an airplane, they also had to know several commands and what they do in the program.
Kristi Guerin competed in Horticulture Judging where she had to identify various different flowers, fruits and vegetables, trees, shrubs, grasses and ground covers. She was also given several classes of flowers or produce to judge and a written test. In Fashion Revue-Ready to Wear, Kacie Russel was asked to purchase a complete outfit for under one hundred dollars, and also take a test about different things relating to clothing and their care. During the Forestry contest Janelle Jason demonstrated her knowledge of the forestry industry, through tests on tree identification, forestry diseases and insects, orienting a course with a compass, and measuring trees. The final contest our members competed in was Wildlife Habitat Judging, Deanna Jason chose to compete in this contest. During the week she had to identify various wildlife species, take tests relating to wildlife habitats and diets, evaluate a potential wildlife habitat and give a presentation on how to improve the site and why.
Here are the results from the contests of those who placed:
Automotive- 2nd Place Team
Emily Guidry- 2nd place individual- won an educational trip to Orlando Florida
Taylor Stumbo-9th place individual
Agriculture Demonstration- Ryan Trusclair & Daniel Tullier- 2nd place Team
Agriculture Product Demonstration- Shelbi Graft- 2nd place
Computer Simulation- Ross Graft & Dylan Jason- 2nd place Team- Won 2 Dell All-in-one Photo Printers
Horticulture Judging- Kristi Guerin- 2nd place individual- won an educational trip to Orlando Florida
This proved to be an extremely memorable 4-H University because of all how well our 4-H’ers did, on top of it being the centennial year for 4-H in Louisiana. This was a great way to kick off the next century of 4-H in Louisiana. If you know any of the 4-H’ers who attended please be sure to congratulate them, they all put a lot of work into getting ready for 4-H University and their contests.
If you have any questions about 4-H in West Baton Rouge Parish, or how to become involved as a member or leader please contact the Extension Office at 225-336-2416.