Thousands to attend Texas 4-H Roundup in College Station

Texas

When 2,500 senior Texas 4-H members, parents and adult volunteers attend the state's Roundup on June 5 to 9 this year, they will take part in a tradition that's about 80 years old.

"In one form or another, Roundup has been on campus at Texas A&M University since the mid-1920s," said Dr. Toby Lepley, Texas Cooperative Extension 4-H and youth program specialist.

Each year Texas 4-H Roundup brings together district contest winners from across the state who compete in a variety of fields, Lepley said. This year, many of the competitions will be at Reed Arena on the Texas A&M campus in College Station.

Like the Texas 4-H organization itself, Roundup has grown and developed over the years, he said. Not everything is the way it used to be.

For one thing, while participants still compete in traditional skills such as swine, dairy and horses, their areas of expertise have changed with the times. Some of the 21st century projects include computer technology, consumer decision-making, photography, family life and fashion design.

For another, participants "used to sleep out under Kyle Field in tents," Lepley said. That was back in the 1940s, when the stadium wasn't outfitted with high-rise bleachers and a sprinkler system.

Participants now stay indoors, usually someplace air conditioned, Lepley said with a laugh. This year they will stay at one of two off-campus locations--Cambridge Dorm or the Plaza Hotel.

And this year for the first time, 4-Hers "don't necessarily have to be contest winners to attend Roundup," Lepley said. Instead, these non-competing participants will be able to attend a series of five educational workshops:

--June 7: A Day with the Military at Fort Hood (limited to 40 participants);

--June 7 and 8: Exploring the Many Faces of Veterinary Medicine (limited to 50 participants);

--June 7 and 8: Texas 4-H Club Managers Training (limited to 100 adult participants);

--June 8: Texas A&M Corp of Cadets (limited to 120 participants); and

--June 7 and 8: Texas A&M Viz (computer visualization and technical directing) Lab Tour (limited to 50 participants).

Another Texas 4-H Roundup tradition is the awarding of scholarships, Lepley said. This year, however, their numbers have increased.

The Texas 4-H Foundation will be presenting about 220 scholarships, totaling about $2 million, said Jim Reeves, executive director of the foundation. "This is the most we have ever presented."

The Richard Wallrath Educational Foundation Scholarship will provide 71 scholarships of $10,000 each, Lepley said. The Houston Livestock Show provides 70 scholarships of $12,000 each and the San Antonio Livestock Show provides four scholarships of $15,000 each, nine scholarships of $12,000 each and 12 scholarships of $1,000 each.

"All active 4-H seniors will be eligible if their grades meet minimum requirements," Reeves said.

According to Lepley, those minimum requirements are a 910 SAT score or a 21 score on the ACT.

"Some scholarships require them to be in the top quarter of their graduating class," he added. And some require agricultural degree plans. Recipients must attend Texas colleges or universities.

But that's not all.

"We also have our 'Courageous Heart' scholarships provided by the foundation for kids who have maintained an outstanding 4-H career while experiencing dire or extenuating circumstances in their lives," Reeves said. These circumstances can include "unexpected medical, health, family or educational challenges. These special scholarships will range from $1,500 to $10,000 depending on need and designated funds available."

Roundup is also a chance for 4-Hers to participate in the state community service project. For the past two years, this project has been helping build homes for Habitat for Humanity in Bryan.

"So far we've contributed more than $25,000 (to Habitat for Humanity) over the past two years," Lepley said. "This year we hope to make our final contribution of $5,000.

"Habitat for Humanity is such a powerful project because the kids are physically able to experience the difference they are making to the community," he said. "There's still a very high interest among the members. So many kids--and adults--enjoy doing it."

However, he said, this year's contribution to Habitat will be the last--at least for a while--because members "have other community service issues to address."

Texas 4-Hers have a tradition of giving back to the community, Lepley said.

And that includes former 4-Hers--such as Trent Willmon, former Texas 4-H Council member from District 3 in 1990-1991. The singer-songwriter will perform in concert on June 7. All Texas 4-H members, their families and guests, volunteers and leaders are invited to attend, Lepley said.

On June 8, the Roundup close-out concert will be headlined by Amarillo native Aaron Watson. He and his band have toured in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, Wyoming, Tennessee, Kentucky, Oregon and North Carolina, according to information on the Texas 4-H website. They plan on doing nearly 200 shows this year.

For more information on Texas 4-H Roundup, visit the Web at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ or contact an Extension agent.

Date: 5/25/06

	Web hpj.com

Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2008.  High Plains Publishers, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com