|
Roundup kicks off Oklahoma 4-H Centennial CelebrationOklahoma More than 900 Oklahoma 4-Hers, Extension educators, volunteers and state leaders recently gathered at Oklahoma State University for the 87th State 4-H Roundup. While 4-H Roundup traditionally is a time to recognize the achievements of members, this year's event also was the official kick-off for the Oklahoma 4-H Centennial Celebration. The Oklahoma 4-H program will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2009. In keeping with the theme of "Transforming the World," club members had the opportunity to transform themselves by participating in educational workshops, talent competitions and recognition events, said Tracy Branch, state 4-H events and activities coordinator. "This year's Roundup offered many different experiences for club members," Branch said. "Because 4-H will celebrate its centennial next year, we kicked off events this year with a big birthday bash. We had everything from swimming and sand volleyball to inflatable games and birthday cake." One of the highlights of each 4-H Roundup is the announcement of the Hall of Fame inductees during the Honor Night Assembly. This year's winners were Meg McConnell, Lincoln County and Matthew Taylor, Pontotoc County. This is the highest award a 4-Her can achieve at the state level. McConnell and Taylor received a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Farm Credit Services. Club members walked away with more than $50,000 in educational scholarships when they were named state record book winners and scholarship recipients during the Honor Night Assembly. As a group, the club members recognized exemplified the 4-H Motto --To Make the Best Better. The 281 young people who completed project record books or scholarship applications have presented almost 13,000 talks, illustrated presentations and demonstrations, organized or conducted 20,500 workshops, and conducted more than 22,000 community service projects. They spent nearly 235,000 hours teaching and serving their communities and reached more than 13.5 million youth and adults as a part of their project work. Community service has long been a focus of the Oklahoma 4-H program. For 21 years, club members have been raising money for the Ronald McDonald Houses in Oklahoma. During the Honor Night Assembly, a check for $13,385 was presented to Tamara and Herb Gilkey from the Ronald McDonald House in Oklahoma City. Over the past 21 years, club members have raised nearly $750,000 for the Ronald McDonald Houses. Another worthy project of Oklahoma 4-Hers is the Dime Drop Program. Funds from this service learning project go toward funding a home for a low-income family through Habitat for Humanity. This year, club members were able to present Ann Felton, Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, a check for $3,652. Although the age range for being a member of 4-H is 9 years to 19 years of age, recognition in the program knows no age limits. The Oklahoma 4-H program is keen on recognizing individuals and organizations who support the program. The individual State 4-H Partner Award was presented to Sheila Forbes, Gary Sherrer, Rosalyn Weston and Sue Collington. The organizational State 4-H Partner Award was presented to Farm Credit Association of Oklahoma. The Outstanding 4-H Alumni award is presented annually to outstanding citizens among former 4-Hers whose civic, business, professional and public activities make them respected and appreciated in the areas they serve. Award recipients include Dixie Ferrell, Mary Sue Sanders, Fred Stanley and Karen McCuistion. Ira Hollar started his career in Extension in 1926 and eventually served as the State 4-H Program Leader. He used his position to develop new and innovative programs, which are still in existence today, including 4-H Key Club and State 4-H Hall of Fame. Hollar was posthumously recognized as a 2008 inductee into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. In addition to recognizing achievements of present and past club members, Roundup also was the venue to announce the 2008-2009 state and district leadership teams and the new 4-H Ambassadors, as well as the delegates who will attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta later this year. "When 4-Hers come from all over the state to participate in 4-H Roundup, their positive experiences have a lasting impact," Branch said. "Not only do they get to participate in educational and fun activities and make new friends, they also have the opportunity to learn more about OSU and what it has to offer as a choice for higher education." 9/8/08 Date: 9/2/08
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 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
