They Did It!

Ask anyone in the office, one of my favorite lines just walking by someone is, "I didn't do it".  Mostly it is said just to see the humorous reaction for those I work with.  However on this day, in this instance our 4-H members did do it, and I could not be more proud of them.
Today was the Southeast 4-H District Activity Day.  Now that sounds all big and official but what it boils down to is 4-H members from 18 counties competing in public speaking and presentations (demonstration speeches).  For Robeson County youth they first must compete at County Activity Day and place first or second in their age division in their category to move forward to District Activity Day and come in a practice with the staff and volunteers to make sure they are ready for DAD.
  This year we had six competitors who made it to District Activity Day which was held at Lenoir Community College in Kinston.  They broke records every time we turned around.  First we had more outdoor cookery competitors then we have had in the history of our 4-H program.  Tachoma Hair and Jaylyn McNair both competed in Beef Cookery while Jordan McKinnon competed in Turkey char grill.  All three are members of the inspirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club in Rex North Carolina.  Jordan's sister Jada McKinnon was competing in the open division with a speech on Literacy.  Our other two competitors are both members of the Dirty Rascals 4-H Junior Master Gardener Club.  Maggie Underwood is competing in Careers and Entrepreneurship with a speech on How to be a Professional Video Gamer, and Alex Evans competed in Artistic Expression demonstrating how to decorate a cake.
  When everyone was done it was time for awards.  Our beef cookers both got second place in their respective age divisions, while Jordan who was competing in Turkey chargrill won gold.  Jada McKinnon took home gold for her speech on Making America Great Through Literacy.  Both Alex Evans and Maggie Underwood took home gold in their respective age categories and topics.  This means not only did our Robeson County delegation do well, all of them will be going on to compete at State Competition on July 29.
  If that was not enough, Jordan McKinnon took home a very special gift, a scholarship to Congress from a dedicated Southeast district volunteer, Gwindy Stewart.  The entire family was excited about the opportunity this will offer him.
  One other note before we close.  Each year staff members are chosen as People in Charge or PICs of rooms.  This means they arrange for judges, handle everything that goes on in the room and make sure everyone gets there and home safe and sound.  This year Christy Strickland and Mac Malloy from our Extension Staff were chosen as PICs.  To them, the judges that agreed to travel all the way to Kinston, and took a day to help determine the best of the best from our District to go to state, Thank You.  We appreciate your time, constructive criticism, and assistance making sure 4-H youth are always striving to be a little better.
Next step for our Robeson County 4-H members?  State.  Watch out here we come!