For immediate release
Submitted by Molly Singleton, Lindsey Riddle, members of Pulaski County 4-H Teens In Action!
The 99th Virginia 4-H State Congress was held at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, June 24-27, 2019. Virginia 4-H State Congress is the premier 4-H teen event for outstanding teens from 4-H clubs across the state. It allows teens from different counties to meet one another, make new friends, have competitive and non-competitive leadership and life-skill learning experiences and work together as a team. Virginia 4-H State Congress takes place annually and this year’s theme was “4-H is Where the Heart Is.”
Pulaski County 4-H Teens In Action! members William Brown, Lindsey Riddle and Molly Singleton participated in a variety of events throughout the week, including a banquet, a dance, a carnival themed night, and a Share the Fun Talent Show. Some of the events were semi-formal, while others were more casual. These events encouraged teens to try new activities and be more social.
Throughout the week we enjoyed a variety of classes. Some classes that were offered included Campus Kitchen, Leaving a Legacy of Leadership, and Systems Thinking. In these classes, we learned a lot about teamwork, leadership, and how to think as a group or individual. All of the things we learned are useful for everyday activities such as schoolwork, sports, and group projects.
During the week of Congress, we stayed in Lee and Pritchard Hall. We ate at Dietrick Dining Hall and enjoyed a variety of different cultural foods. Throughout the week we explored various parts of campus such as War Memorial, Squires Hall, New Classroom Building and Burruss Hall.
Another important part of Congress is the State 4-H Cabinet. The Cabinet consists of the president, vice president, secretary, historian, and district ambassadors. This group has the big responsibility of planning the State Congress, Statewide Teen Weekend, as well as making 4-H a more well-known program. Cabinet members are elected by the delegates each year at Congress.
In addition to the Cabinet, new 4-H all stars are tapped every year. Being tapped as a 4-H All Star is the highest recognition within the 4-H community. A 4-H All Star is a person who is the best of the best and very devoted to 4-H in his or her community. And, everything you’ve ever done through your 4-H career counts as points in so many different areas that it’s almost certain anyone pledging their Head, Heart, Hands and Health, can be tapped into the Virginia 4-H All Star Association.
Apart from the All-Star awards there were also National awards that you learn about at Congress. These include the Youth In Action Award. There are four categories and a winner in each category. The people who win have used all the life-skills they have learned in 4-H to better their communities tremendously.
We’d like to encourage any teen, 8th through 12th grade to consider joining us next year at the 100th 4-H State Congress held on the campus of Virginia Tech. And even better, consider joining our club, 4-H Teens In Action!, (TIA!) a club for teens and tweens that want to make a difference in their community and show the world what they are made of! Our goal is to reach out into our community and make things happen, to show the adults and leaders how much we, as teens and tweens, care about our cities and communities. TIA! is a club made up of teens and tween - teens thought it up, they get together, they run meetings, and best of all, they have all the fun!
For information about Pulaski County 4-H Teens In Action!, a teen leadership and service learning 4-H Club, and other Pulaski County 4-H programs, contact the Extension Office at 540-980-7761, or email at pulaskicounty4-h@vt.edu.
Opening Ceremony at 4-H State Congress at Virginia Tech - Chris Lichty - Pulaski 4-H Extension Agent, William Brown, Molly Singleton, Lindsey Riddle
Time for Ice Cream at Dietrick Dining Hall (aka D2) at Virginia Tech
Future Pulaski County 4-H All Stars ~ William Brown, Molly Singleton, Lindsey Riddle
All Dressed Up and Somewhere to go....4-H State Congress Banquet ~ Molly Singleton, Lindsey Riddle, Chris Lichty – Pulaski 4-H Extension Agent, William Brown
On the Steps of Burrus Hall at Virginia Tech ~ William Brown, Chris Lichty - Pulaski 4-H Extension Agent, Molly Singleton, Lindsey Riddle
