A day of demonstrations

Have you ever wondered how to make homemade bubbles or your own fishing bait? Kids around the county gathered Sunday at Plains High School to showcase skills such as these at the final 4-H demonstrations.

Have you ever wondered how to make homemade bubbles or your own fishing bait?  Kids around the county gathered Sunday at Plains High School to showcase skills such as these at the final 4-H demonstrations.  

There are two days dedicated to 4-H demonstrations held at both the Hot Springs High School and Thompson Falls High School leading up to the final demonstration day this past weekend. 

The top demonstrators from these first two events competed against one another on the final demonstration day.  Demonstrators were from both the junior division, around ages eight or nine, and the senior division, ages 14 and up.  The four winners from each division qualify to attend the state competition in Bozeman this July.

The senior demonstrators were judged by three volunteer judges and the juniors were judged by two judges throughout their presentations.  At the two

demonstration days prior to the final, 4-H members were judged on multiple areas based on a set of standards for all participants, such as having a good introduction, a good body and conclusion to their presentation.  Judges also watch for fidgeting of the presenters and clarity in their descriptions.  The one difference between the final day of demonstrations and the two previous days is that during final presentations, the members are also judged against each other to determine who was the best, not simply against the standard.

“The judges said it was a very tough competition and they were very good on the senior platform,” said Shirley Konkade, Administrative Assistance for 4-H and volunteer at Sunday’s event.

Four-H is a leadership program that focuses on life skills.  The Four H’s stand for head, heart, hands and health.  Karen Dwyer, Secretary for the 4-H club said it began as an agricultural program back in the 1920s, but has since expanded to encompass any and all skills to make a well-rounded individual such as computer skills, cooking, sewing, dog obedience training and photography.  There are currently seven active 4-H clubs in Sanders County.

Among the 14 senior demonstrators on Sunday, Beca Gunderson from the Thompson Falls Mountaineers, took home the first place prize for her presentation entitled “Bubble Trouble.”  During her presentation, Gunderson delved into the scientific properties that go into making that perfect bubble, including ideal weather conditions.  She also explained to the audience not only how make homemade bubbles, but how to make a unique homemade bubble blower, which she coined “bubble thing.”

Second place went to John Gunderson, third place went to Velita Benton and fourth place went to Mariah Naegeli.

The top four Junior division winners were awarded scholarships to 4-H camp.  Junior division winner was Joshua Wulfekuhle from Thompson Falls Mountaineers for his presentation in welding safety.  The three additional winners were Sean Ribeiro, Samantha Kinzie from the South Side Sparks club and Lane Foster from the Little Bitterroot club.

It took 33 judges to make the three demonstration days possible, all of whom were volunteers.  Meghan Phillippi, 4-H administrator, said if it wasn’t for the volunteers and willingness of the community and schools throughout the county to help provide locations for the events, 4-H would not be possible.