Crenshaw County 4-H holds banquet, looks back on year
Published 11:11 pm Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Members of the Crenshaw County 4-H Youth Council were recognized for their efforts to empower other young people to get involved in Alabama 4-H. Photo by Haley Mitchell Godwin.
Temply Jones, member of the Crenshaw County Trailblazers 4-H Club, competed in Western Halter, Showmanship, Horsemanship, Western Walk Trot, Western Pleasure, and Trail event bringing home numerous ribbons and belt buckles last school year. Photo by Haley Mitchell Godwin.
Recognized as a valuable volunteer, longtime supporter of Crenshaw County 4-H, and integral part of helping 4-H and extension programs in the county grow, was director of the Luverne Public Library Kathryn Tomlin (left), who along with her staff, host and lead numerous monthly extension activities such as Mommy and Me, the Cooking/Stem Club, summer day camps, and more. Presenting the token of appreciation was Heather Sanders, 4-H Foundation regional Extension agent. Photo by Haley Mitchell Godwin.
Calem and Kristen Sanders are lead volunteers for the 4-H Shooting Sports Club which includes air rifle and archery. Photo by Haley Mitchell Godwin.
Jenny Foster (right), of Highland Home, was presented with a token of appreciation for her work as lead horse club volunteer and as founder of the Crenshaw County Trailblazers Horse Club, as well as for her willingness to help the Extension office with Farm City Day or in any other capacity. Heather Sanders (left), 4-H Foundation regional Extension agent, presented foster with the plaque. Photo by Haley Mitchell Godwin.
A 4-H Banquet was held May 26 at Luverne Church of Christ to recognize Crenshaw County 4-H members that participated in outside community clubs and animal events. 4-H members received banners with club pins that recognized the number of years in various clubs and other project accomplishments. The banners can be added to as students continue their journey with 4-H. Photo by Haley Mitchell Godwin.
Caroline Smith won 2nd place in the Southeast Alabama 4-H Regionals "Cook Off" competition. Photo submitted.
Crenshaw County 4-H Cooking Club members learn how to cook various dishes and participate in a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) project during each meeting. At this meeting, members learned about how snowflakes form and how igloos are made and then created their own. Photo submitted.
Tribly Jones participated in the 4-H state and regional competitions, the Alabama Open Horse Association competition, the Wiregrass Open Horse Association contest, and the American Quarter Horse Association competition and won numerous ribbons and belt buckles. Photo submitted.
Temply Jones. Photo submitted.
Georgia Lowe represented the Crenshaw County Trailblazers at the 4-H State Horse Show in Montgomery, bringing home several ribbons. Photo submitted.
Horse club members do not have to have a horse and are encouraged to showcase their talents through a variety of project events including photography, public speaking, horse judging, and more. McKenna Tindal, Crenshaw County Trailblazers horse club member, brought home a blue ribbon with this amazing black and white photo. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=986857529270276&set=a.535037087785658 Photo submitted.
The Crenshaw County 4-H Cooking Club in action. Photo submitted.
Crenshaw County Trailblazers 4-H Club members. Photo submitted.
Garden club members tasting the fresh spinach they grew. Photo submitted.
Calem and Kristen Sanders are lead volunteers for the 4-H Shooting Sports Club which includes air rifle and archery. Photo submitted. Photo submitted.
Acknowledged for being the lead volunteer and instructor for the Yoga Club, and for her calm and fun loving nature was Jody Foote began volunteering in 2017 and through her efforts has been helping students create lifelong healthy habits for over five years. Photo submitted.
The mission of the Grow Getters Garden Club is to give back to the community and aside from a small portion used for cooking demos for club members, all produce is donated to people in need throughout the community. Photo submitted.
Youth active in the garden club learn Junior Master Gardener curriculum and gain first hand experience growing a variety of produce. Photo submitted.
The Crenshaw County 4-H Cooking Club in action. Photo submitted.
4-H members that attend summer camp have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities including a rock wall climb. Photo submitted.
The Crenshaw County Shooting Sports Club includes air rifle and archery. Photo submitted.
By Haley Mitchell Godwin
A 4-H Banquet was held May 26 at Luverne Church of Christ to recognize Crenshaw County 4-H members that participated in community clubs and animal events. Also recognized were 4-H members that competed at the Southeast Alabama 4-H Regionals in Andalusia.
Emma Foster, recent graduate of Highland Home High School, was recognized for her nine-year membership and extensive involvement in Crenshaw County 4-H, beginning in fourth grade. Initially Foster participated in every 4-H project she could, but when the Crenshaw County Trailblazers Horse Club was formed, it became her main focus.
Over the years, Foster and her fellow horse club team members have brought home multiple local and state ribbons, competing in various events like general knowledge quiz bowl, hippology, which tests knowledge of equine science, as well as the application of this knowledge in a competitive setting, creative writing, photography, horse judging, riding events, and more. Foster was also and for being the recipient of the first ever Alabama 4-H Foundation Scholarship.
“4-H has provided me with so many opportunities and lifelong friendships and has helped me prepare for the future,” Foster said. “Through 4-H I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried a lot of new things, something important to have experience in when moving on to a new chapter in life. If I could say anything to younger students, I would tell them that it’s okay to get out of your comfort zone and that it’s okay to make mistakes because that is a part of learning new things. Highschool goes by fast so make the best of it, make new friends, try new things, and don’t be afraid to join 4-H because it truly is an experience you’ll hold on to for a lifetime”
According to Heather Sanders, 4-H Foundation regional Extension agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Foster is a hard working, dedicated, and very deserving student who will succeed in any endeavors.
“It is such an honor to present you with this scholarship and acknowledge your nine year involvement with 4-H,” Sanders said. “Your hard work in school, in the community, and in the 4-H program is what made you stand out among the 100s of other 4-H Foundation Scholarship applicants and I know your dedication is going to take you far.”
Sanders went on to say that although the school year saw lots of smile and ribbons, what could not be seen was the bravery it took for students to speak in front of judges for the first time, adding that all of the students are winners in the fact they chose to participate and gain experience.
Crenshaw County 4-H leaders hope to grow the program in the coming year. For more information about the program, visit the Crenshaw County 4-H Facebook page or call the Extension office at (334) 335-6312I.
