4-H Members Making the Grade for College

They are making history and planning their futures all at the same time. These 4-H members are part of our first Robeson County 4-H intensive college prep program that began on October 31st. 12 youth were selected through a nomination process from club leaders, volunteers, parents and 4-H staff. To be part of the program they had to be in the ninth through eleventh grades, be an active 4-H member, and have the commitment they will need to be a part of the program. Letters and contracts were sent to each possibly participant and when all was said and done nine dedicated members decided to take part in the program that will help them be prepared and competitive for college. Our first workshops took place on a teachers workday. the youth arrived at the 4-H office and worked on exercises to help them follow directions filled out surveys, and we had a conversation to help shape future programs. April Mowery, with CFNC (the College Foundation of North Carolina), stopped by and walked them through the resources their organization offers, and how they can start using it to be better prepared for their futures. Janice Fields, our Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent worked with them on how to make healthy eating decisions when away from home and they even got a chance to do some dorm cooking (cooking from a microwave) they each prepared a dish for everyone to share at lunch and all I can tell you is it looked good and smelled even better. After lunch they had a chance to work with Christy Strickland, another Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent with our Robeson County Extension Office. Christy worked with the youth on note taking techniques, time management and organizational issues. She also gave them an opportunity to be creative as they turned simple cookie sheets into colorful and inventive memo boards that they can use now and in college. Each of the youth enjoyed the program and seem to be getting excited about the possibilities that this program will offer them. Stay tuned for their future classes, lessons, and 4-H student life as part of this program.