4-H: 100 years old and going strong Jacqueline Hough JACKSON — Lifelong lessons are what Garnet Williams Phillips of Murfreesboro got out of the 4-H program in Northampton County. “I learned so much from 4-H,” Phillips said. “It helped me to develop character and teamwork. It made an impact on my life.” When Phillips heard about the 4-H Centennial Celebration being planned, she called her friend Linda Gariss Gray — they grew up together in Conway. “Garnet told me about it,” she said. “I loved 4-H. I was hoping to see people I hadn’t seen in a longtime.” The 100th anniversary of 4-H in North Carolina was celebrated Saturday with past and current 4-H members and supporters at the Northampton County Cultural and Wellness Center. Coletta Edwards, a former 4-H member, was the emcee for the event and noted the age of the 4-H program. “This is something most can’t fathom,” she said. “Think about how much 4-H has changed and evolved.” The 4-H program is the youth education program of North Carolina Cooperative Extension based at North Carolina State and North Carolina A&T State universities. Marshall Grant gave a brief history. North Carolina 4-H started as a corn and tomato club in Ahoskie in 1909 and evolved into the statewide program it is today. It is a youth development program for ages five through 19 and had more than 239,000 youth actively involved last year. Edwards noted if we didn’t have a past, we couldn’t have a present. She talked about the Northampton County 4-H Enhancement Fund. The fund has been started at NC State Cooperative Extension Service Foundation. The goal is to have the funds grow and be available so the 4-H in the county can provide events, activities, scholarships to camp and congress and other 4-H needs which may arise during the next century. “It is a way to support the 4-H in Northampton and it is tax deductible,” Edward said. It has programs such as workforce preparation, nutrition demonstrations and week-long camping experience at one of five residential facilities. Last year, 800 students participated in 4-H through school and community clubs in Northampton County. Guest speaker Tim Gubitz, a senior electrical engineering major at North Carolina State University, talked about how being a member of 4-H influenced his decision to go into engineering. “Four-H has been a large impact in my life. It has shaped what I value,” he said. He used the 4-H pledge — I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country and my world — as the base for his speech. “When I went to college, I had to think clearly and take responsibility for my actions,” Gubitz said. “It all begin for me by thinking clearly in 4-H.” We all have a heart, he said, and the 4-H pledge our hear to bear loyalty. “I do my part when I see a need,” Gubitz said. “Our hearts are loyal to our morals.” When we think of hands, he said, we think of community service. “4-H offered me a great opportunity through its electric program,” he said. Through the program, Gubitz went to the Electric Congress and believes the experience he has gained in 4-H and college led to him being employed by one of the sponsors of the Congress. The last thing he focused on was health. “Without health, we can do much,” he said. “Four-H has affected me to live a better life to help others. He thanked those who helped him and others 4-Hers along the way especially their parents. “I congratulate the parents in getting their child in such a great program,” he said. “We might screw up but we will come back to what we know.” During the event, talent presentations were made by Ashley and Jasmine Harris, Sarah Taylor Best and the TLC 4-H Club along with various 4-H member recognition were made. After the banquet, a dance with Foxy Lady DJ Enterprise of Weldon was held. |