— At the 112th 4-H University, the “Krewe De 4-H U” let the good times roll, with Louisiana’s 4-H annual celebration on the LSU main campus. Maddox Fieldhouse was turned into a grand event space for the awards ceremony, where winners and new officers were revealed.
From June 23 to 25, over 1,400 attendees, including agents and volunteers, were on hand as 4-H’ers participated in different competitions and educational sessions around the main campus. In total, 38 contests led to 444 students receiving blue, placement ribbons and 19 educational sessions provided the students with new insights and knowledge to propel their young lives forward.
Also, at 4-H U, the new executive board and statewide officers were elected to office. State board, equine, livestock and wetland ambassadors also were chosen.
4-H U is designed to help students grow, meet new people and try new things as they develop and learn.
“My hope is that every young person attending 4-H University takes advantage of the countless opportunities around them and finds the courage to try something new,” said Kimberly Williams, associate head of 4-H youth development. “Often, the experiences, challenges and connections made here have the power to spark lifelong development.”
Todd Tarifa, the head of 4-H youth development, also emphasized the amount of effort that goes into creating and putting on an event of this magnitude and importance.
“Events like this take a lot of teamwork behind the scenes, and we are incredibly thankful for the volunteers, staff and supporters who helped create a safe, welcoming environment where our young people could thrive,” Tarifa said. “Seeing the excitement, pride and emotions from our members as the event ended was a powerful reminder of the positive impact 4-H has on their lives.
St. Martin Parish contest winners included: Raelynn Comeaux, Child Development; Aiden Edgar, Horticulture Identification and Evaluation; and Ava Gauthier, Insect Identification.
