Kristin Bechstein, Crusin Clovers 4-H Club & Katie Sattler, Tontogany Hotwires 4-H Club

We sat down to write our reflection (together of course!) and asked ourselves what do we do in 4-H? We thought for a while and realized, what don’t we do! We have both been Junior Fair board officers, members of 4-H Committee, 4-H Camp counselors, Wood County Junior Fair Queen candidates and we are both trustees for the newly formed 4-H Leadership Board.

We have spent countless hours doing anything and everything to assist the 4-H program. Many long days, late nights and early mornings have been spent together with the many 4-H friends we’ve made along the way.

We would have never had the opportunity to become best friends if it weren’t for the 4-H program. Sure, we went to the same high school but we weren’t in the same grade. We first met through FFA, but it wasn’t until Junior Fair Board that we really got to know each other.

We both took on leadership roles and became as involved as we could. We’ve had experiences that you couldn’t find anywhere else through the Wood County Junior Fair board. These include learning how to lay bricks, without ANY prior knowledge, shopping for and installing new doorknobs, running livestock shows and the list goes on and on and on. It is hard to describe how much time we spent at the fairgrounds and our level of attachment to it. For example, after working at the fairgrounds for a whole day, a few of us decided to come back in the evening to finish a few odd jobs so we would be more prepared for the upcoming fair. We ended up staying there for hours because it felt like home. And for the week of fair, the Jr. Fair Office literally became our home. If the temperature was rising outside, you would surely find many of us there with the AC on full blast.

We have learned what goes on behind the scenes at the fair and the hard work and dedication it takes to pull it off is something you can’t learn through anything but the Wood County 4-H Program. Summer has always been a highlight of our year, one of the best parts being 4-H Camp. As we became counselors we met even more 4-H friends. Last summer we became the proud counselors of cabin 1 along with our friend Kelly Weisenborn. That means 15 9-year-old girls were our responsibility for 5 days straight. That’s 480 teeth to be brushed – every morning and night, 30 shoes to get cleaned off the front porch, 15 bunk beds to get made, 5 High School Musical dance parties and one cabin full of fun. It was all worth it. We have many memories from this past summer at camp but one that sticks out in our heads is the night two of our girls went to bed with sticks in their bunks. Not little twigs…we’re talking about sticks! We said goodnight to all of the girls and were tucking them in when we noticed the sticks. We asked them why they were in their beds and they told us they had seen a black squirrel outside our cabin and were afraid it was going to attack them. We assured the girls they would not be attacked by the squirrels, took the sticks from them and told them to wake us up if there were any problems. We fell asleep laughing that night!

These are only a handful of our favorite 4-H memories from all of the different activities we have participated in through 4-H. (Katie says) Reflecting back on my years in 4-H, I have seen how much I have grown as a person and all that I have learned. In 4-H the opportunities are endless and I have been lucky enough to be a part of them. Although I had been a 4-H member for awhile, it wasn’t until high school that I became really involved. Junior fair board opened new doors for me and became a big part of my life. After that I found myself joining other clubs and activities where I discovered a whole world of opportunities. I honestly don’t know where I would be without this organization in my life. The lessons and skills I have learned as well as the great friends and memories I have made will be with me forever.

(Kristin says) My 4-H career began 10 years ago when I got involved in the Michaelis’ 4-H club. Linda was always encouraging my sister and I to get involved in 4-H and make the best of it. Once I got involved in 4-H at the county level it has never been the same. It isn’t just project books and club meetings, it’s board meetings and new people, workdays and volunteering, quilting and learning to be a leader. 4-H has taught me so many things I wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to experience. Many things 4-H gave me made the transition to college this year a lot easier. My years at camp taught me how to live with other people and that made adjusting to dorm life a much better experience. I also learned many valuable leadership skills over the years and many things about myself I wouldn’t know without the 4-H program.

At this time we would like to thank all of the people that made our 4-H experience amazing. Our parents, Jayne Roth, Jenny Morlock, Deb Buehrer, the rest of the Extension staff, our 4-H advisors, and numerous 4-H volunteers – you know who you are! We hope the 4-H program continues to provide positive experiences like ours to many others in the future.

Stacy Kotula

I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health for better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world. The 4-H pledge defines a strong educational program within Wood County. Throughout my nine years in 4-H, donating my handmade quilts has been the most enriching experience. Like a quilt, my life is made up of many blocks stitched together. Included in one of my blocks is president of Dowling Stitch, Stir, and Stock 4-H club, member of the 4-H Honor Court, Junior Fair Board member, and Spirit of Leadership recipient. As a senior at Eastwood High School, another block is formed from president of Student Council, member of National Honor Society, and November Student of the Month. My volleyball block comes from many years of design and is made from captain of the varsity team, first team District 7 and SLL, and selected as All-Wood County Volleyball Team Player.

Each year 4-H members and their mentors, ranging in age from ten to seventy, crowd the basement of the 4-H office to sew quilts for a certain charity. In the past three years that I have been involved in the Quilt Club, the Cocoon Shelter and the GRADS program have been the lucky recipients of our work. One cold wintry morning in January, my mother and I gathered all of our sewing necessities together and with a packed car headed for a day of quilting.

Before receiving instructions, Jenny and Donna described GRADS, the organization to which our quilts would be donated. This program encourages pregnant teens to graduate from high school. After carefully reading the directions, the rail fence quilt pattern seemed simple, and I began cutting the flannel material that I had purchased earlier into two and one half inch strips. When piecing the blocks, I said to my mom, “This quilt is coming together quickly. Let’s make more than one.” My determination and ambition over came my exhaustion, and I continued to sew quilt pieces together until that evening when I had enough blocks to make six quilts.   The quilts were presented at the 4-H Style review and then displayed at the week long Wood County Fair.

Later that month, a banquet was held to present the GRAD program with the numerous quilts that had been hand crafted by 4-H members. As I was introduced to a young pregnant teen, I was proud to know that her baby would be able to cuddle in my flannel quilt. Through this experience, I was able to provide a precious gift that would comfort both the newborns and their mothers.

Through your support of Wood County 4-H, this enriching program has provided me with life long friendships, leadership skills, the ability to do laundry, and the opportunity to give back to our community. As I head off to college in the fall, I know my sewing machine and my excitement of quilting will inspire others to give back to the community. My life, like a quilt, has 4-H as its center block.

Beau Ingle

Today, 4-Her's from around the state and country define in their own unique way that may not be similar to that of others. This concept is what makes 4-H so creative and appealing to youth today who are involved. We all can make our own connections that reflect our outlook on 4-H and the relationships that we have with our fellow 4-Her's. For example, one individual has described some memorable events that illustrate 4-H's characteristic, even it is on an informal basis. He explains that there are activities that 4-Her's were supposed to be cleaning and doing other chores, these fun events allowed the 4-Her's to come together and meet new people. It also allows new members to mingle with their peers and form friendships to last forever. 4-H is truly what you make of it and how you interpret its capabilities to change you for the better, and that is why 4-H has been so successful among the millions involved and hopefully why it will be embraced in the future.

Lesley Payne

I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hand to larger service, and my health to better living for my club my community and my world. Unfortunately, many people in the state of Ohio do not understand the meaning behind this pledge. For me this pledge changed my life.

Growing up on a dairy farm, I knew I was going to be in 4-H. However, during my first few years, I was only in it because I had to. I went to the scheduled meeting, and completed the minimum requirements of my projects, but I never participated in any of the extra opportunities available to 4-Her's. Now as I am about to complete my final year of 4-H, I extremely regret this.

Last year, my county gave me the first opportunity to become active in the state level. Before, I had always been active in my county, but I was always scared to leave the people who already knew me. To try and solve this fear, my county selected me to attend Leadership Camp. For the first few days I was very shy, and clung to the other girls from my county. As the week progressed, I realized that if I was going to have any fun at all at this camp, I was going to have to break out of my comfort zone. From that point on I came out of my shell, not only at Leadership Camp, but with everything else available to me. I became one of the most active members in my county. I have to say I owe my transformation to 4-H.

As said before, 4-H is what you make of it. Unfortunately for me, I did not make it something sooner. Now, as I continue to challenge myself with new opportunities available to me, I realize just how great 4-H really is. From the projects, to all the camps, to all the other 4-H events available, 4-H is a wonderful educational opportunity that truly makes “The Best Better”.

Whitney Prose

I am Whitney Prose of Delaware Co., Ohio. I am in the Elm Valley 4-H Club. 4-H has been amazing for me! 4-H not only has taught me leadership and life skills, but has propelled me into real careers. By just saying “I'm a 4-H'er” doors fly open. Through 4-H, I have traveled to Washington D.C., Atlanta, and all across Ohio. I've shadowed government officials, local reporters and even was interviewed on TV! 4-H has provided me with such an open, friendly, enriching environment. It's so easy to try different and new interest. I wouldn't have realized my love of writing, dogs, community service or leadership without 4-H. Soon, I'll be going to college, where I plan to continue to “Make the Best Better” by expanding on my 4-H interest. I know my entire life I will be drawing upon my excellent experience through the 4-H experiences.

Allie Persinger

Success, Failure, friendship, hard work, and exhaustion are all things we have experienced through this fabulous organization called 4-H. As a little Cloverbud I could have never imagined my potential and everything I have been able to accomplish through 4-H.

One of my favorite 4-H memories was when I did the demonstration contest. I can still remember how nervous and shaky I was while teaching people how to make smoothies. The next year I wanted to do the Health and Safety Speaking contest. Fortunately, I was one of the top winners at the state and I won a trip to Atlanta, Georgia to the 4-H congress. I can honestly say that, that week was the best week I have ever had. And I am still keeping in contact with people I met there. The demonstration contest that I participated in 3 years ago has influenced me to participate in other contest outside of 4-H and help me get an idea of what I want to do as a career.

Breanna Young

Hi, I'm Breanna. When I think 4-H, I think farmers, but I'm not a farmer. So why am I in 4-H? Good question. When I started 4-H, I liked doing the projects. Not anymore. Now I'm in it for the people. The funny thing is that if you had known me when I was little you would not have expected me to get involved just for my friends. I was a shy little girl who was scared of new places, and new people . As I grew with 4-H, my confidence blossomed as friendly 4-Her's reached out to me and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. For example when I was in 6 th grade I was at a judging, I decided that I should try to talk to one of the other girls to help pass the time. I then went to talk with the judges, and found that it wasn't all that bad, I actually enjoyed it. That enjoyment must have shown because I received the opportunity to be our county's representative at the State Fair. I was fortunate enough to win one of the Outstanding of the day Awards. All of those events happened because I stopped and reached out to talk to a stranger. That stranger eventually became one of my best friends. Now I am always meeting new and different people who become my friends.

Jason Maxey

My name is Jason Maxey and I'm a 4-H Ambassador from Delaware Co., Ohio. While I was growing up, I never really grasped what 4-H was. I remember walking through the livestock buildings and seeing all the different animals. That's what I thought 4-H was; People who live on a farm and raise animals.

When my mother convinced me to join 4-H some 7 years ago, I had no idea what I was getting into. My second year in 4-H, I received a letter from my county office with a list of teen leadership opportunities available in the county and state programs. The opportunity that immediately caught my eye was Camp Counselor in Training.

When I went to other camps as a young child, I always looked up to my counselors and remember thinking to myself “I want to be like them someday. “In my six years as a camp counselor in Delaware Co. I have seen campers with home situations that aren't the greatest, then these campers come to cap as sullen, shy and sometimes-angry young people. But by the time they leave camp on the fifth day, they are transformed into smiling, happy, laughing young people. This is simply an example of the great things that happen thanks to the youth and adult volunteers in this great program called 4-H.