FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Nine Polk County youth returned home in late July exhausted but happy with awards in hand and having learned a little more from their experiences at the 4-H State O-Rama on the University of Arkansas campus.
Polk County 4-H members won awards in Safety (1st Place William Dickerson), Environmental Stewardship (1st Place, David Lehmann), Entomology (2nd Place, Rebecca Lehmann), Interior Design (2nd Place Team, Eden Barney, Keilah Barney, and Rebecca Lehmann), Ornamental Horticulture (4th Place, Keilah Barney) and Tractor Driving (5th Place, Jacob Ezell). Other 4-H members represented Polk County by participating in other various events. Jacob Ezell and Rebecca Lehmann were record book winners for 2015, and Rebecca Lehmann was also awarded to 4-H ambassador.
“We’re so proud of our Arkansas 4-H members,” said Lauren Frost, Polk County 4-H Program Assistant for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “They worked hard all year on their skills and projects, made it through county and district O-Rama competitions, and performed so well at the state level.”
In addition to the competitions and recognition assembly and banquet, the members were treated to motivational talks by 4-H alumna and Miss Arkansas competitor Katie Crow. They also heard from Hoan Do, a competitor on “American Ninja” and corporate trainer. He urged the 4-H members not to succumb to negative thoughts, but rather “change the channel” to more positive inner messages.
“With all the activities, camps and service projects they participate in, State O-Rama is still the pinnacle of each 4-H member’s year,” said Anne Sortor, associate director-extension for 4-H Youth Development. “It’s so refreshing each year to see these high achievers practicing the ideals that make 4-H such a potent force for positive development in young lives in Arkansas.”
Arkansas 4-H is the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 4-H has more than 140,000 members in Arkansas.
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.
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