Getting Started and Sharing Ideas

North Carolina 4-H Congress is the biggest state 4-H event there is all year long. Youth from around the state come together on N.C. State University's Campus to work, learn and have fun. Already in our first day we are doing just that.

We started the day by getting checked in and moved into our dorms. We traditionally stay in one of the three high rise towers on the main campus. Our Robeson County delegation is made up of 7 youth: Laquwanda Banks, Christopher Bullard, Christian McRae, Korina Pittman, Keheria Richardson, Ashley Sealey, and Kristen Sealey; one volunteer, Marilyn Merritt, and our 4-H Agent Shea Ann DeJarnette. It took a little time to lug everything from the van and the trailer up to our rooms but we finally made it in time to go get lunch. After lunch it was time for our meetings the youth in one room and the adults in another. During these meetings we are given a brief introduction to living on campus, the rules, and what is coming up. After the brief introduction to procedures we broke out into our district meetings and that is where the real work began.

We have six districts in the state with approximately 15 counties per district. The youth representatives from their counties are involved with a special project this year communicating youth issues to our county commissioners at their conference. Each county youth delegation wrote their top ten issues that concern youth in their county. There were repeating themes to some such as teen pregnancy, drug abuse and education. However the Robeson County delegation also listed things such as finding ways to improve the education system, being competitive to not only get into college but receive scholarship funds, and gang issues. The lists were collected from each county and will be compiled into a top ten issues list to be presented at the county commissioners state meeting.

Of course after all that hard work we needed food. So we headed off to the N.C. State dinning hall for dinner, our first of several meals that we will enjoy just as if we are college students. Then we loaded back up in the vans (we are on the move a lot this week) and headed to the Expo Center at the N.C. State Fairgrounds for the opening ceremony. There we meet our outgoing district officers, watched an electronic county flag precession, and learned about some of our upcoming adventures. We also had the chance to complete an electronic survey about our thoughts on drugs, alcohol, and other risky behaviors. We were treated to live entertainment by other talented 4-H members and the state fashion show. Entries this year included everything from a duster to a wedding gown. Very impressive stuff. Then we loaded back up in the vans and headed back to the dorms for our first nights rest.

We have a busy week ahead...and that includes breakfast tomorrow morning at 6 a.m.