Setting the Bar High and Medaling

                                       

You could feel the tension in the air this morning as our 4-H members and their families loaded up and headed to Mount Olive College to take part in our first ever 4-H South East District Activity Day.  For those of you not familiar with this annual event here is a little background.  Youth compete in different age divisions (9-10, 11-13, and 14-19) in Public Speaking, Presentations (kind of like show and tell), and Entertains.  At the county level they compete against other club members in the county, those who place first and second earn the opportunity to go forward to compete at District Activity Day.  At District the 4-H members are competing against the top winners from 18 counties.  The top winners from this competition will move forward to state which will be held as part of 4-H Congress in June.
  What made this year's event so tense was that it was our first time competing in the new district and we had no idea how it was done in the South East District.  So with lots of practice and dressed to impress our participants moved forward to let the District know that we were there and meant business.  Held at Mount Olive College we took the two hour drive up to practice and get in the right mind set for competition and it seemed to work well for the group.
  In Public speaking we had: Jordan McKinnon (9-10); Michicko Hill, and D'Andre Johnson (11-13); and Alexus Jones (14-19) competing for top awards.  In presentations we had: Christian Tice (11-13) in fruits and vegetables; Tyrik Taylor (11-13) in egg cookery; Megan Hurst (14-18) in small and companion animals; Jaylyn McNair (14-18) in outdoor cookery; Shawndora McNair and Katie Hiller (14-18) in Health and Fitness.  Megan Hurst also represented the county in the talent showcase with her ballet dance. For the volunteers and parents who came it was a full day of running between rooms and trying to catch everyone trying their best.
    After lunch, which was done by the Southeast 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Association Members it was time for the more than 200 participants and their families to fill the auditorium for awards.  First up were the first time participants such as D'Andre Johnson, Jordan McKimmon, and Tyrick Taylor receiving their first time buttons.  The the talent participants each received blue ribbons for their efforts in this non competitive demonstration.  then it was time for the competitive categories.  In Public Speaking Michicko Hill took third place, while Jordan McKimmon and Alexus Jones both received Gold medals.  Shawndora McNair received bronze in health and fitness.  Shawndora's brother, Jaylyn McNair received silver in outdoor cookery.  While Christian Tice, Tyrick Taylor, and Megan Hurst all received gold medals in their respective categories.
  After multiple trips to the front to receive medals it was obvious that Robeson County 4-H had left a lasting impression on the South East District.  All the first and second place winners are now eligible to attend State competition which will take place on the N. C. State University Campus June 22.  We had a great time and would like to give a shout out to all our competitors, volunteers and parents who made this incredible day possible.  Job well done Robeson County 4-Hers!