Can You Hear Me Now?

  Yes, we can hear you and love what you had to say and demonstrate.  4-H County Activity Day gives our youth a chance to get up and speak or do a demonstration on anything they are passionate about.  This year our judges learned about everything from How to Make America Great through Literacy to Barrel Racing and How to become a Professional Video Gamer.
  Our day started outside with Outdoor Cooking.  This year we had three competitors all from the Inspirational Youth Leaders Club in Rex, North Carolina.  Takoma Hair, in the 11-13 age division tried his hand a beef cookery and offered our audience a nice steak.  While the two seniors, Jordan McKinnon and Jaylyn McNair, threw down on turkey and steak respectively.  The judges, Tommy Prevatte and Charles Russ both said they were impressed with each competitor's entries.  They were tender and their choices of rubs and sauces were particularly tasty.  All three have earned the opportunity to go forward to District Activity Day.
  While things were heating up outside, inside we had it going on.  In public speaking we had five competitors in different age groups.  In our 9-10 age division Jada McKinnon from the Inspirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club placed first with her speech on America while Adara Smith from the Spiritual Generations 4-H Club in Pembroke place Second with her speech on Softball.  We had one competitor in the 11-13 age division and that was Nadia Bennett who received first place for her speech on Neo Natal Nursing.  In the 14-18 age division Jamal Bennett edged out Jadon Mitchell for first place with his speech on Networking.  Nadia, Jamal, and Jadon are all members of the Spiritual Generations 4-H Club.
  In presentations we had two Cloverbuds (5-8 year olds) who delivered two different and really good presentations.  Christopher Walters gave us a math lesson, and Camri McKinnon showed us how to make an adorable healthy snack.  Both participants are from the Inspirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club and both received ribbons for their efforts.  Since Cloverbud is non competitive they were able to give presentations for the experience, and but the older youth on notice that when they are 9 they had better watch out.
In the 9-10 age division we had two competitors from the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club that gave two informative speeches.  Angel Purcell introduced us to the parts of a saddle and Megan McClay talked about how to care for a puppy.  Both received first place and have the opportunity to move on to District.
In the 11-13 age division we had two youth who gave excellent presentations.  Maggie Underwood with the Dirty Rascals Jr. Master Gardeners talked about How to Become a Professional Video Gamer, in the Careers and Entrepreneurial Category.  Aaron Johnson with the Inspirational Youth Leaders Club gave a dynamic presentation on Math.  Both placed first in their respective categories and will have the opportunity to continue on to District Competition.  
The Senior Division (14-19) year olds was a tough one this year.  We had nine competitors with some serious competition.  Megan Butler and Chasity McClay, both with the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club gave presentations in the horse category.  Megan talked about Barrel Racing while Chasity talked about Therapy Horses.  When it was all said and done Megan pulled away with the blue ribbon while Chasity got second.  Alicia Monroe, also with the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club, went head to head with James Floyd from the Inspirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club in the Health and Fitness category.  Alicia spoke about her favorite sport softball, while James spoke on Spina Bifida.   When it was all said and done it was a mere two points that separated the two with James receiving second place and Alicia going home with the blue ribbon.   In the other categories Christian Tice with the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club place first in the Foods and Nutrition for his No Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies.  Briana Cryer was utterly as successful with her presentation on Dairy Cows.  Alex Evans with the Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports Club did an edibly delectable presentation on Cake Decorating.  All the Senior Division competitors are eligible for District.
  Speaking of District Activity Day, it will take place at Lenior Community College on Friday, June 16.  We do ask that all our eligible competitors make a practice appoint by the end of April with Ms Wendy, so we can make sure you are ready to bring home the gold at District.  For more information about this program please contact Wendy Maynor at Wendy_Maynor@ncsu.edu or (910) 671-3276.