4-H has Talent!

Did you by chance go by the Rumba on the Lumber for an exciting chili cook off? Maybe you went out to enjoy the run? Or maybe, just maybe, you went out to check out the awesome 4-H talent performing at the Carolina Civic Center? It was a star-studded action packed afternoon of talent and we can't help but be impressed with how our annual 4-H Talent Showcase turned out.
We started the fantastic event with our 5-8 year olds taking center stage. This age group is known as cloverbuds in 4-H terminology and this is a none competitive division where each child is recognized for their accomplishments. We kicked things off with a group praise dance, the group made up of members of Robeson County's Spiritual generations club were Nadia Bennett, Mya Mitchell, Jada Coward, Kristen Smith and Jamal Bennett. Patrick McBride from Voices in Praise 4-H Club recited a poem (with really good illustrations) and Christian Tice with the St. Paul's Pony club treated us to a musical puppet show. We understand Christian has also been asked to perform for the Chevy on the Levy event after a spectator viewed his performance during this talent event.
Our 9-10 year old junior took over the stage after the cloverbuds were recognized. This is a competitive division and winners took home ribbons and checks. Taking home third place this year was first time participant Chasity McClay of the St. Paul's Pony club. Chasity played the viola. A club mate of Chasity's, Taylor Holden, took home second place for poem about being eaten by a boa. Jasmine McBride with the Voices in Praise 4-H Club took home first place for her keyboard styling.
Our junior 11-13 year old age division commanded the stage with five competitors. Maurice Rogers, of the Lighten' Electric Club took home first place for his vocal performance, while Megan Hurst, of the Horsin' Around 4-H club was a close second with her techno-dance routine. In an even closer third place was Sarah Willis of the Bladen County Super Clovers 4-H club who sang Carrie Underwood's "Temporary Home". Rounding off this age division were Caylee Holden of the St. Paul's Pony Club and James Nixon of the Voices in Praise 4-H Club. Caylee sang for us while James recited a poem.
After a brief intermission We concluded the performing arts competition with the Senior Division ages 14-19. 10 acts made up this very competitive level. Taking home the blue ribbon at the end of the day was Hayley Hall of the Super Clovers 4-H club in Bladen County for her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". In Second was Allen Monk of the Bladen County Green Acres 4-H Club, for his martial arts demonstration. Christian McRae of the Robeson County Voices in Praise Club, entertained us with his vocal talents and rounded out the top three. Also competing in this division were:Keorie McMillan of the Voices in Praise Club who sang for us; Meranda and Dillon Dennis of the Green Acres 4-H club who did a choreographed dowel rod presentation; Laura Willis of the Super Clovers who sang "How Great Thou Art"; Aljaquon Nixon, of Voices in Praise, who recited a poem; Laquwanda Banks of the Future Leaders 4-H club who bravely and beautifully sang for us a cappella; and Rachel Harbaugh of the Super Clovers 4-H club who sang "these Four Walls".
After recognizing our performing arts judges, Angela Britt, Kendt Hunt, and Paul Matthews for their time and efforts judging this difficult competition it was time to announce the winners. After our youth took the stage we then focused on our non performing artists, and gave them a chance, along with our judges, Angela Britt and Brenda, to take a bow.
In the 5-8 year old division, Maggie Underwood of the "Dirty Rascals" Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club, Brianna and Julianna Campbell and Jeralyn Hill all of the Bladen County Roots and Shoots 4-H Club took home green participant ribbons.
In the 9-13 year old Junior Division Anna Kate White of the Super Clovers 4-H Club took home the blue in photography while her sister Megan took home the red ribbon. In the misc. division Megan Butler of the St. Paul's Pony club took home a blue ribbon for her wreath. Alex Evans of the Green Acres 4-H Club took home the blue for an incredible ink drawing. In the painting division the competition was fierce. Destiny Smith, of the Roots and Shoots 4-H club took home a participation ribbon for her water color. Sarah Willis of the Super Clovers took home the white ribbon for her watercolor. Brianna Cryer and Chasity McClay both of the St. Paul's Pony Club took home first and second respectively for their paintings.
The Senior division (14-19 year olds) offered a judging difficulty. When the scores were tallied Meranda Dennis of the Bladen County Green Acres 4-H Club walked away with first in photography. Luke Hill of the Roots and Shoots 4-H club ended up with the blue ribbon in sculpture closely followed by Allen Monk of the Green Acres 4-H club and Hayley Hall of the Super Clovers 4-H club. In drawing Victoria Evans of the Green Acres 4-H club came in first place for her ink drawing with Laura Willis of the Super Clovers 4-H club a close second, and rounding off the division was Dillon Dennis of the Green Acres club.
It was a fantastic day and we want to say thank you to our hosts at the Carolina Civic Center for their hospitality, technical support, and ability to go with the flow and deal with what ever might happen with our 4-H talent. We also need to give special thanks to Angela Shaver the 4-H Agent in Bladen County who was our Mistress of Ceremonies. We are looking forward to having our event there next year and know that it will be even more spectacular and talent laden then the year before.