4-H competition showcases hobbies
Rachel Reibeiro, 9, a fourth grader from Thompson Falls did her 4-H project on "how to make a smoothie." "I chose this topic because I like cooking. My mom and I looked through cookbooks at home and we thought this would be a good recipe to try for a demonstration," said Ribeiro, who competed in the junior level on Saturday.
Dusty Dettwiler, 18, of Heron, demonstrated chain saw safety for his 4-H presentation on Saturday at Thompson Falls High School.
Students from Sanders County gathered at Thompson Falls High School on Saturday morning to demonstrate their 4-H projects to a panel of judges.
“Talking in front of people with poise and a plan is the main point of these presentations,” said Marty Scherzer, from Thompson Falls, who has been a judge for four years. “The kids get better and better each year.”
4-H is a youth outreach program of Montana State University and is organized the same throughout the country, said John Halpop, an MSU extension agent, and organizer of the program.
A variety of projects included topics ranging from how to show your rabbit, chain saw safety, how to make a taco salad, how to inspect a beehive, and how to score in wrestling, the cycle of a frog and keeping warm in winter, for instance.
“I decided to do my project on ‘how to clean a saddle’ since I love horses and have had then since I was little,” said Morgan Beech, 10, from Plains.
Dusty Dettwiler, 18, of Heron, decided to present his topic on chain saw safety because he has grown up using one with his father.
“I’m going to show the judges the basic parts and how to use it safely. I chain saw a lot at my house and for cutting firewood,” said Dettwiler.
“It’s fun to see what the kids bring in each year and what they are interested in. The judges always comment on range of skills the kids have,” said Meghan Phillippi, a 4-H extension agent.
The students have to use visual aids, such as a power point computer presentation or a poster board. They also are required to organize they demonstrations into an introduction, body information and closing summary. Each presentation is given privately in a classroom to the panel of judges. Family members were allowed to go in the room with the demonstrator as well.
“One way the students decide what project they will do is what they know how to do already, and what their good at,” said Shirley Kinkade, an administrative assistant. “It’s interesting to see the development year to year.”
Of the approximate 180 4-H members in the county, 130 students gave presentations over the course of two weeks. Last weekend about half of those students showed their projects at Hot Springs.
The program divides the age groups up into juniors and seniors. Ages 13 and under are juniors and judged by two people, and ages 14 and up are seniors, and judged by three. Some demonstrations were also done by teams, such as “how to score in wrestling,” where two brothers demonstrated moves on each other.
There is also another age level called “Clover Buds” for younger kids who want to participate, and they are allowed to do any project they want, said Phillippi.
Awards will be given out at Plains High School this coming Sunday.