Annual 4-H O-Rama celebrates national group’s centennial
Posted on Friday, July 25, 2008
Justin Bacon has a passion for all things 4-H.
The 17-year-old from Prairie Grove enjoys livestock and being in a barn; he likes meeting new people and making new friends; and he likes participating in an organization celebrating its centennial. Most of all, Bacon likes that his 13 years in 4-H has prepared him for a successful future.
“ It’s amazing that 4-H started in 1908 and it’s even stronger (now ) than when it started, ” he said.
Bacon was one of 500 teenagers visiting the University of Arkansas for the 2008 4-H O-Rama, a state competition for the best 4-Hers of each district. The week pitted 4-Hers against each other in competitions such as singing, livestock judging, photography and grassland identification. Bacon said his team took first place in the grassland competition. The group also votes for its state officers, which do things like help organize and run the event. Even as Bacon spoke to the Northwest Arkansas Times, screams and cheers could be heard for campaigning candidates in Bud Walton Arena.
“ They have the opportunity to meet kids from across the state, ” said Darlene Millard, assistant director for 4-H youth development. “ To have them on a college campus is also a real perk. ”
In between the times that the teens are showing off their skills, the organization provides banquets, pool parties, free movies and dances. Kelsey Kearny, a 17-year-old from Pine Bluff, said she got to sing “ Don’t No Why” by singer Norah Jones at Wednesday night’s banquet. It was the same song that won her first place in the event’s vocal competition.
“ Today I went to a salsa (dancing ) workshop. I learned how to do the pretzel, ” Kearny said proudly. “ It was pretty easy for me. I like to think I’m a good dancer. ”
Kearny, in her fourth year as a 4-Her, said it would probably be her last; the organization has an age limit of 19. She said she is proud of her time in 4-H.
“ You can do anything in 4-H and it’s for anyone, ” she said. “ It doesn’t matter what race you are or what culture you’re from. ”
Kearny added that she loved listening to her peers running for state office because she enjoyed hearing why other people love 4-H as much as she does.
Daniel Watson, 18, of Magnolia was a state officer this year and is also seeing the final minutes of his 4-H career pass. He said the organization, which he’s been a part of since age 12, has created friendships he never would of imagined.
“ My best friends I’ve met through 4-H. I travel across the state to see them all the time, ” he said.
The week itself has been a busy one for Watson. He’s been a part of the planning and involved in a lot of the decorating. He said it’s been an honor being one of the organization’s state leaders on the centennial anniversary.
“ That was actually one of the platforms when I was running, because I wanted to be a centennial officer, ” he said. “ I’ve just been giving up a lot of my personal life to make sure this year is extra special. ”
Watson did manage to take advantage of a few of the week’s competitions. He entered some of his photos into the 4-H O-Rama photography competition. He said he likes to take pictures.
Millard said 4-H O-Rama marks a way for the teens to be recognized for all the positive things they do, and she agreed with Bacon that the organization is a great experience.
“ It’s really about developing young people and providing them with opportunities, ” she said. “ That’s what we’re doing. ”
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