Johanna Hicks Column-February 25th weekend edition
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4-H Members to Showcase Talents
This time of year is busy for our Hopkins County 4-H members. Many are participating in livestock shows in Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, while others are busily preparing for Fashion Show, Food Show, Educational Presentations, Public Speaking, Share-the-Fun, and Consumer Decision Making.
I want to take this opportunity to invite you to observe them in action during our Bobby McDonald Memorial County 4-H Round-up! Two exciting evenings have been planned, and our 4-H members have worked hard to complete their projects, whether it is a speech, presentation, foods project, clothing project, or talent. Here is a schedule of events to take place at Cedar Canyon, beginning at 5:30 on both days.
- Tuesday, February 28: Food Show – participants have selected a category (protein, fruits & vegetable, grain, or dairy), and will bring their prepared dish to the contest. They will be interviewed by a panel of judges pertaining to their specific dish. Example: how it fits in MyPlate, the steps of preparation, nutrients most prevalent, etc.
Fashion Show – participants have the option of constructing an outfit or purchasing an outfit using their consumer skills. Again, they will be interviewed by a panel of judges pertaining to their specific outfit. Example: fiber content of the outfit, care procedures for the outfit, special construction techniques used, how/if it coordinates with other outfits, where it is to be worn, etc.
Fashion Storyboard – this is an event that showcases a design from point of inspiration (magazine picture) to the actual design. The storyboard “tells the story” of the designer’s idea. The storyboard includes original illustrations, as well as additional materials (such as photos from the Internet or magazines, paper, fabric swatches, patterns, etc.) that have influenced the unique design. Categories are wearables, non-wearables (pillows, stuffed animals, etc.), accessories, jewelry, and pet clothing.
Following interviews/judging, an awards presentation will take place. Participants in the Fashion Show will model their outfits while a narration is being read and dishes from the Food Show will be on display. Awards will be given for the top-scoring Junior, Intermediate, and Senior, as well as individual recognition in all contests.
Top-scoring individuals in each contest, category, and age division will advance to District contests to take place on March 31 and April 1.
- Thursday, March 2: This will be a busy night! Public Speaking – 4-H’ers will have the opportunity participate in the Public Speaking Contest, in which they give a speech on any topic they choose.
Educational Presentations will also be included. This contest involves a presentation using visuals, posters, power point, or other props to enhance the presentation. Topics from which 4-H members have chosen include: Safety & Accident Prevention, Health, Beef, Promote 4-H, Companion Animals, Ag and Natural Resources, Family & Consumer Sciences, and Open category.
Share-the-Fun is similar to a talent competition. Vocal, choreography, poetry recitation, skits, and other choices are available.
Following these contests, an awards ceremony will take place, with the top-scoring Junior, Intermediate, and Senior receiving a special award. All other participants will also be recognized.
Top-scoring individuals in each contest, category, and age division will advance to District contests to take place on March 31 and April 1. Details will be available during our County contests.
Both evenings, the Consumer Decision Making Contest will be available for 4-H’ers (and audience!) to try out. This is a great event, because it teaches skills that the youth will use throughout life. The categories we will use are camping equipment and healthy snacks. Here’s how the contest works: A scenario is given pertaining to the category. Four choices are offered (in our case, a photo and description of each item is provided.) The participant will rank the choices from 1 to 4, based on the given scenario, with 1 being the best choice and 4 being the worst, followed by reasons as to why they ranked them in that order.
This event actually reinforces the decision-making skills we practice every day. A good example of this is the clothing choice we make every day. We typically take into consideration what the weather will be (warm, cool, cold), whether or not it will be raining, scheduled activities (out and about, staying home, working outside, practicing sports, etc.) Subconsciously, we are using our consumer decision making skills!
Twenty-eight 4-H members will be taking part in one or more of these contests, and we appreciate Bobby McDonald’s family members for serving as judges! Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, and we must prepare them to be responsible, diligent, contributing members of society.
4-H Exchange Trip
Sixteen 4-H members and chaperones from Hopkins County will be participating in a 4-H Exchange trip to Sanders County (Thompson Falls), Montana, in July. Our former 4-H agent, Juli Hutchins Thurston, is employed with the Montana Extension Service and has extended the invitation. Our group will be holding fund raisers to help finance the trip, so when you read or hear about one of these efforts, please take part. We are hoping to raise $6,000 in just a few short months, so your support is vital! For more information, contact the Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
Closing Thought
Families are like fudge…mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Family & Consumer Sciences Agent
P.O. Box 518
1200-B W. Houston
Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
Phone: 903-885-3443
Fax: 903-439-4909
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