January 2024 Edition

4-H Youth Development
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Russell County 4-H News

January-February 2024

Camp Corner - 4-H Camp will be June 18-21.  Russell Co. will be camping with McCreary, Marion, and LaRue Counties.  Camp applications will be online soon.  The camp fee will be $300.  Partial scholarships will be available, and hopefully our EDB will discount this amount as well by $100/camper.

4-H Livestock Club - Information coming soon to those that signed up.

4-H Horse Club

Upcoming Meeting Dates                           Time

January 4                                                   4:30-5:30 pm

January 18

February 1                                                 Location:  Diamond Ridge

February 15                                               Leader:  Emily Sparnell

February 29

Horses lend us the wings we lack. — Pam Brown

4-H Demonstrations Contest

A 4-H Demonstration is where you show someone how to do a task.  Demonstrations should be between 5-15 minutes. See Russell Co. 4-H website for official rules and deadlines.

4-H Poetry Contest Results

Junior Champions

Vaeda Murray (JES)

Amelia Haddock (RCHSA)

Senior Champions

Nadia Kacar (RCHSA)

Kylie Haddock (RCHSA)

Runners-up/Blue Ribbons

Raylie Pelson (JES)

Keira Gallagher (JES)

Jayln Catron (RSES)

Autumn Onyon (RCHS)

JES Results

Hadlee Rigney —red

Lillian Williams —red

RSES Results

Aylee Brockman –- red

Declan Ellis — red

Emily Harris — red

Luke Oakes — red

Nathan Franklin — red

Kaitlyn Marples — red

Lily Camp — red

Bryson Collins — red

Milo Devore — red

Lilah Huckaby — red

Ainsley Aaron — red

Asher Bennett — white

Katrina Martinez — red

Gianna Overstreet — white

Caleb Velazquez — white

SES Results

Elyse Miller — white

RCMS

Gabby Cochran — blue

The 4 champion poems will advance to the Kentucky 4-H Poetry Contest at the University of Kentucky!

 

Health - Vapes contain nicotine which is an addictive drug found in tobacco products. Nicotine can affect brain development in kids and teens.

 

Russell Co. 4-H Demonstrations Contest 2024

General Guidelines for 4-H Demonstrations

· Awards (ribbons) will be based on the criteria established on the 4-H score sheets for speeches and demonstrations.  The champion will be the youth that receives the highest points (average among the judges); the reserve champion will be the youth that receives the second highest points average.  Only the champion will advance to the E1/E2 area competition.

· 4-H participants will be introduced by their name and title of their demonstration.  There will not be a penalty if the 4-H member repeats this information during the presentation.

· 4-H Demonstrations are required to have visual aids and posters; these are like doing a “how to speech.”  The posters should show the steps or other relevant information for the demonstration.  Youth are allowed to have more than one poster.  Posters should be written so that they are easily readable for the judges.  Foam board posters or tri-fold boards are recommended as poster board does not stand on its own easily.

· If the presenter does not fall within the established time guidelines, he/she will receive a point penalty, but if he/she still has the highest overall score, he/she will still be awarded the champion honor. 

· If there is a tie for champion or reserve champion, the tie will be broken by a coin toss or other equitable method.

· The reserve champion will be invited to attend the district competition ONLY IF the champion cannot attend.

· Costumes are not permitted in speeches, but they are acceptable in demonstrations.

· Judges’ decisions are FINAL.

· 4-H age is determined by the youth’s age by December 31, 2023.  Junior age speeches and demonstrations are for ages 9-13.  Senior age speeches and demonstrations are for ages 14-18.

How many participants can advance to the County Contest? See your 4-H teacher at elementary schools.

Timeline

Jan-early March Write/Prepare/Practice speech/4-H club contests at schools or in project clubs

March 8, 2024 Registration deadline for 4-H speeches and 4-H demonstrations

Late March Russell Co. 4-H Speech and Demonstrations Contest

TBA E1/E2 Area 4-H Communications Competition (to qualify for state competition)

July 13, 2024 Kentucky 4-H Communications Day (Nicholasville, KY)

4-H Demonstration Categories

Agriculture – to include information on horticulture, and plant and soil sciences (e.g. crops, agronomy)

Animal Sciences – to include information on selection, care, and feeding of animals, financial records, operations, and animal products for small or large animals.  This also can include companion animals. 

Visual Arts – to include drawing, painting, mixed media, decoupage, candle making, macramé, scrapbooking, embroidery, quilting, silk screen, batik, block print, corn-shuck flowers, ceramics, jewelry making, and similar topics.  This category also includes demonstrations related to photography such as picture taking, composition, framing, or scrapbooking.

Performing Arts – all demonstrations related to the performing arts including theatre, dance, musical instruments, and musical performance.

Clothing & Textiles – to include construction, techniques, wardrobe selection and planning (color, design, accessories, appropriate dress for various occasions), selection, use of and care of clothing-related equipment, care of clothing, posture as it relates to fit, fibers, and textile-related topics.

Family & Consumer Science – to include information on childcare, consumer and financial education, family life,      and home environment.  THIS CATEGORY EXCLUDES CLOTHING & TEXTILES AND FOODS.  THESE ARE      SEPARATE CATEGORIES.

Foods – to include preparation skills and creativity in using foods for meals and snacks (including breads).  Please submit a copy of the recipe on the day of the event.

Health – to include information on physical activity, bullying, substance abuse, personal development, and safety.

Natural Resources – includes entomology (insects), environment, geology (rocks/minerals/fossils), forestry (trees), soils, water, and wildlife.  This category can include science-fair type experiments related to these topics.

Shooting Sports – includes proper care and cleaning of equipment, safety, sighting alignment and shooting techniques, selecting equipment and ammunition.  Weapons of any sort cannot be brought into the buildings or on the grounds of school or university property.  This includes firearms, bullets, bows and arrows.  Mockups, models, and charts must be used instead.  Models cannot look like an actual gun, bow, or other firearm.

Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) – to include information on ATV safety, aerospace/rocketry, biotechnology, bicycle, energy, GPS/GIS, robotics, general science, and computer science (may not use computer projection equipment in place of posters).  This category can include science-fair type experiments related to these SET topics.

Team Demonstrations – any demonstration (regardless of topic) conducted by two (2) 4-H members of the same age category (i.e. both juniors or both seniors).  Each participant must have a significant speaking AND presentation role in the demonstration.  Youth may participate in either the individual demonstrations or the team demonstration category.  They may NOT do both.

Demos at a Glance 

(read official guidelines for more details)

• 5-15 minute presentation
• Must have one or more posters (foam board recommended) or trifold board explaining steps
• Should “show and tell” how to do a project/activity