Three youth from Lackawanna County were among the more than 580 4-H members from across Pennsylvania who recently took part in the annual 4-H State Achievement Days at Penn State’s University Park campus. This year’s theme was “Lights! Camera! Success!”
Pennsylvania 4-H’ers, attending the three-day event, participated in various contests and activities, including horse and livestock judging, healthy choices-fitness and foods, public speaking, shooting sports, robotics, State Fashion Revue and questing. A new contest this year, “Textile Revue,” was designed to enhance knowledge in textile science and provide youth the opportunity to create, present and showcase nonwearable items.
Members of the Lackawanna County 4-H Clubs took part in the State Fashion Revue. They were: first year member Kaylee Kresge from the Glenburn Sewing Club and Julia Mazur and Maria Parola from the Sew n Sews Club.
On the first day, approximately 300 attendees participated in the annual community service project, “Amp It Up!…4-H Service.” Projects are identified in advance and participants donate items to complete the activities. This event helps the 4-H’ers to live the 4-H slogan, “Make the Best Better,” by giving back to their communities.
This year’s projects included the following:
– Back-to-school packs with school supplies for children of those currently serving in the military.
-Blankets made from donated fleece material that will be donated to shelters, children’s hospitals and veterans homes.
-Socks for Vets, which was founded by Perry County 4-H’er Cavan McIntyre-Brewer. This initiative collects and provides necessities for homeless veterans.
-Heart Hugs Pillows, founded by Perry County 4-H’er Lorelei McIntyre-Brewer. The pillows are assembled and donated to cardiac patients undergoing open heart surgeries to provide comfort during a very painful recovery process.
-ShoeBox Recycling, a project that enables 4-H’ers to bring their gently worn, unwanted shoes to any statewide event throughout the year for donation to those less fortunate.
Josh Rice, Penn State Extension assistant director for 4-H Youth Development programs, welcomed participants and kicked-off of the event. Dr. Steven Brewer, a major in the U.S. Army who currently works for the 20th Chemical Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive Command as the medical operations planner and deputy surgeon, gave a presentation titled, “More Than Meets the Eye: Unified Through Our Differences.” He spoke to the 4-H’ers about being a leader, achieving dreams and embracing others.
In a special presentation, Lorelei McIntyre-Brewer, a 4-H member from Perry County, received the 2017 National Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Only 10 students in the nation are chosen for this prestigious award. Honorees select the organization they wish to be honored through, and Lorelei chose 4-H because she feels strongly that there are others who could benefit from the experiences that the Prudential Spirit of Community Award offers. Other activities during the event included a talent show, the annual Fashion Revue and an evening dance.
At the closing ceremonies, contest winners were announced and presented with awards. Guest speakers that morning were Jeff Hyde, Penn State Extension associate director for programs, and Rick Roush, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. Also, the 2017-2018 officers were elected. They will represent the program locally and nationally.
Andrea Repetz, Cumberland County – President
Jared Rose, Crawford County – Vice President of Operations
Anna Schmitt, Washington County – Vice President of Events
Kayla Kimble, Clinton County – Vice President of Internal Affairs
Shirlann Harmon, Butler County – Secretary
Julia Jumper, Westmoreland County – Sentinel
Annah Burke, Forest County – Reporter
Caroline Benfer, Union County – Historian
For more information, contact Amy Gregor at 814-863-7872 or by email at [email protected].