Quote of the Day: “There is no shortcut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation  – veneer isn’t worth anything.”                                                                                                              George Washington Carver

4-H Public Speaking Program

Every Lee County 4-H’er is encouraged to participate in our public speaking program and each year many of our 4-H members take advantage of this opportunity. These events allow 4-H’ers to hone their talents and public speaking skills in front of a crowd of their parents and peers. We were extremely excited to have had the following 4-H members participate at our 2020 County Activity Day, the first opportunity to make a presentation. Thank you to everyone who participated, you are all winners. 

We are part of the South Central District, 1 out of 5 districts in North Carolina. When you go to South Central District events you will see 4-H’ers from 19 counties. There is a District Council made up of all 4-H’ers who reside within the district boundaries. This council holds meetings, makes decisions, and elects officers to serve at all district-level meetings. One popular district event is District Activity Day, the second opportunity to give a 4-H presentation or speech. 4-H members who competed in District Activity Day were grouped by project category and took turns speaking by age category. They were competing for Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards and the chance to qualify for the State presentations in July.

Mackenzie Roche, Matthew Kerley, Suzy Brito, Angel Uy, Sally Cabrera, and Cameron Hanna submitted digital videos to be judged for the 2020 District Activity Day. All these videos were fantastic and I am happy to announce the winners.

4-H Project Record Books

A project record book is a detailed documentation of an activity that a 4-H member has worked on throughout the year. There are four 4-H members whose project record books from 2019 won at the county level and were sent to the final competition. Congratulations to all those whose books were selected to compete and to

Each of the 2020 books turned in this year either received a blue, red, or white award with Blue being the highest honor, followed by red and then white. We send 2 projects per age group per category to compete at the final competition level. Both of the books that were submitted this year are by Sally Cabrera.

Project record book ideas can be found in the 4-H office. All 2021 project record books are due to Lee County 4-H on January 15, 2022.

4-H’ers who complete an electric themed project record book in 2021 may be eligible for an all-expenses-paid trip to 4-H Electric Congress, 2022.

2020 winners received a project record cover as part of their award. You may also purchase one from the Lee County 4-H office for $2 for your 2020 books.

Special Recognitions

Team Topshots 4-H Club

Bruce Ledford is our volunteer leader for the Team Topshots 4-H club. He has kept his club going strong by securing more volunteer help and recruiting members. They meet at the Lee County Wildlife club one Saturday a month and I am thankful for the Leadership Bruce provides to his club members.

Magetsi 4-H Club

Myrna Rodriguez is the volunteer leader for Magetsi 4-H club. In normal times they dance all over the state and Myrna is a great mentor. A lot of her teens have graduated from the program so she has started over with a strong Cloverbud presence. There are a couple of club members who starred in our summer 4-H STEM series, “4-H at Home.” Thanks, Myrna!

Young Commissioners 4-H Club

Cindy Howenstein is the volunteer leader for the Young Commissioners 4-H club, converting them from a two-week program to a year-long club. Cindy has a group of active young leaders who get their inspiration straight from her example. Cindy has been able to hold face-to-face club meetings following all the NC 4-H guidelines for the safety of her youth. Thanks, Cindy!

Crazy Quilters 4-H Club

I have the benefit of being the volunteer leader for this club and I have a great co-leader, Karen Mersinger. She is the quilter and plans great projects for the club once we get back to regular meetings. Thank you, Karen!

Achievement Awards

We use the guidelines set out by the state 4-H Achievement Plan for our county 4-H program. Members are not required to use the plan but are rewarded with scholarship money when they meet plan-level goals. A club with many members participating in the plan will be more likely to re-charter at the Emerald Level and be competitive in the club of the year contest. To achieve your highest goals you should plan your 4-H participation and set your goals at the start of your year or immediately after achieving a lower level. Talk with your family and 4-H Leaders. Ask their advice in helping to set your goals and to help you accomplish them. This year we have three outstanding 4-H’ers who are receiving an Achievement Award.

Vanessa Rodriguez  – Cloverbud 7-8 Achievement Award ($15)

Sally Cabrera  – Gold Achievement Award ($100)

4-H Members of the year

The Lee County 4-H’ers who have achieved this award have had their names placed on an N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center office plaque.

Oscar, Sally, and Vanessa you will each receive a $50 credit to your 4-H account to be used for 4-H events.

The club of the year will be awarded a certificate, receive $100 for their club treasury, and their name is on a plaque displayed at N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center.

Current Officer Recognition. President Oscar Sanchez, VP Kaycee Davis, Vanessa Hernandez Garcia, Reporter Paulina Romero.