Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agents utilized their regular report to Hopkins County Commissioners Court to celebrate youth achievement in anticipation of the upcoming National 4-H Week, and noted some upcoming 4-H and Extension activities.
Johanna Hicks, family and community health agent, and Mario Villarino, agriculture and natural resources agent, gave an update on the 4-H program as well as upcoming activities planned as part of 4-H Week and presented awards and recognitions to four 4-H members for wins at the district level. Court officials also officially proclaimed the observation of Oct. 2-8, 2022, as National 4-H Week in Hopkins County.
National 4-H Week
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom, during Monday’s meeting, read a proclamation officially designating Oct. 2-8, 2022, as National 4-H Week in Hopkins County, and encouraged others to become involved with the 4-H program.
4-H, the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident kids who tackle the issues that matter most in their communities right now. In the United States, 4-H programs empower 6 million young people through the 110 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension in more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country.
Outside the United States, independent, country-led 4-H organizations empower one million young people in more than 50 countries. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In Hopkins County, more than 200 4-H youth and 15 volunteers from the community were involved during the 2021-2022 4-H year.
“The theme of this year’s National 4-H Week is Opportunity 4 All, which highlights how 4-H offers opportunity for youth to find their passion and explore learning about that passion and what lies within it through hands-on learning experiences. The positive environment provided by 4-H mentors ensures that kids in every county in the country — from urban neighborhoods to suburban schoolyards to rural farming communities — are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles and are empowered with the skills to lead in life and career,” Hicks noted.
Hopkins County 4-H members plan to observe National 4-H Week by showcasing the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people, and highlighting the remarkable 4-H youth in our community who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them.
Youth Recognition
Rylie Carroll was recognized for her first place win at the district level in the senior record book in public speaking. She also earned first place honors at state in the senior record book category. In addition to ribbons, Carroll also received a bag
Bryce McCool won first place honors in junior level archery competition, for which the youth received a belt buckle.
Kallie Mabe won fist place honors at district in junior level record book. The 4-H member received a first year 4-H pin, a project pin for an entomology project, a certificate for dairy and swine projects and was recently recognized at the 4-H Banquet as the Rookie of the Year.
Rounding out the list of award recipients was Kaden Mabe, for his second place finish at district for his record book. He received a Clover Star Award for 5 years of involvement in 4-H, a swine project pin, and a certificate for his 4-H diary and swine projects.
The County 4-H Council members too were recognized during the regular Sept. 26, 2022, Hopkins County Commissioners Court session.
Upcoming 4-H Activities
To officially kick off 4-H Week, Hopkins County 4-H Council will meet after school at the start of the week at the Extension Office to raise the 4-H flag.
County 4-H Project Show entries will also be accepted Oct. 3-6, judged on Oct. 7, and displayed Oct. 10-15. Many entries will also be entered in the Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest youth division.
Because giving back to the community is such an important component of the 4-H program, Hopkins County 4-H has partnered with the Sulphur Springs Middle School Communities in Schools program to collect items needed to assist students, Hicks and Villarino noted.
"Communities In Schools (CIS) is an organization that works on school campuses to help students overcome obstacles that interfere with them being successful at school. CIS helps students with things such as basic needs that can include clothing, school supplies, hygiene items, etc. and also connects them with community resources to help meet their needs. We help connect students with vision and other health providers, as well as mental health/counseling services. "CIS also helps students who are struggling in any way to get back on track by giving them one-on-one guidance and support. CIS will also work with the school/ counselors to develop school wide activities and events that will address subjects such as bullying, college and career awareness, or personal safety topics for which all students will have the opportunity to participate," Lauren Olvera, Communities In Schools Youth Services Coordinator, stated in a letter addressed to parents of campus students.
Among the items 4-H that will be accepting for the Communities in School program at SSMS are:
- body wash or bar soap,
- deodorant,
- leggings,
- spandex shorts,
- joggers,
- underwear and
- socks.
Donations for the Middle School CIS program will be accepted at the County Extension Office on Houston Street during the entire month of October. For a full list of items or addition information about the 4-H service project, contact the Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
To learn more about 4-H in Hopkins County, call the local Texas AgriLife Extension office at 903-885-3443.
