4-H Cultivates Leadership and Good Citizenry Skills at 2013 Congress

4-H members stand in the organization's signature clover formation on Virginia Tech's Drillfield.
4-H members stand in the organization’s signature clover formation on Virginia Tech’s Drillfield.

Five hundred teens, volunteer leaders, and Virginia Cooperative Extension agents gathered at Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus recently for the 93rd annual 4-H State Congress.

This year’s theme, “The Path to Success, Luck Has Nothing to Do with It,” drew on the six pillars of character that are the foundation of the 4-H philosophy and demonstrates how young people can live as exemplary citizens through the life skills they learn as 4-H members.

Miss Virginia 2012, Rosemary Willis, opened the congress by sharing her experience as a high school student who overcame great adversity after sustaining a brain injury that left her sedentary and unable to engage in regular exercise. Her experience caused her to discover the significance of exercise in her life and was a catalyst for her desire to educate the public about the importance of physical activity through her “get moving today for a healthier tomorrow” initiative.

During the event, 4-H delegates participated in “The Great Summer Showcase” — a series of fun and educational workshops that included animal science, communications and expressive arts, healthy living, environmental education, technology, engineering, and math. In previous congresses, 4-Hers have studied the secret lives of alpacas, discovered the art of storytelling, learned the basics of lifestyle trends like yoga, and built robots from LEGOs.

This year, participants had even more exciting hands-on workshops to choose from, including large animal veterinary science at the Virginia Tech Dairy Cattle Center, graphic design, GPS/GIS mapping, and more. Another fascinating workshop let 4-Hers test their mystery-solving skills by studying their own DNA from cheek cells.

Also new in 2013 was the opportunity for participants to explore college and career tracks at Virginia Tech; Virginia State University (the commonwealth’s other land-grant university) and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. Virginia Tech colleges that offered in-depth views of their departments and programs included the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Natural Resources and Environment, the College of Science, the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, the Pamplin College of Business, the College of Engineering, and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

The service learning project this year benefited the nonprofit Project Linus, an organization that donates new, washable, handmade blankets to children in need. Many delegates brought 2 yards of fleece fabric to the congress so that finished blankets could be sent home with local units to distribute to area chapters of Project Linus.

The 2013 4-H State Congress also gave participants a chance to compete for awards in dozens of areas such as culinary arts, forestry, soil and plant science, and drama. In some competitions, winners advanced to regional and national contests.

Delegates also enjoyed dances, sporting events, a midweek pizza party, and an ice cream social.

As the youth development service for the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia 4-H engages youths ages 5 to 19 in hands-on educational programs and activities designed to help them gain the knowledge, life skills, and attitudes needed to further their development as self-directing, contributing, productive members of society.

by Amy Loeffler

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