Washita County 4-H teens enjoyed a day filled with leadership workshops, activities and district officer elections while virtually participating in the West District 4-H - West Action Conference on Oct. 16. Brance Barnett, Evie Denny, Kathryn Sirmon, Teia Lund and Joey Mooney took part.
Tapping into politics a bit, Brance was a candidate for West District, South Region Secretary. He did a great job with his candidate speech but came up short. The group participated in the following workshops: The Importance of Community Service and Citizenship, Leadership and Teambuilding, and Heathy Living (risks of vaping).
The teens were able to actually exercise a community service project that same day. Dana Church, Washita County OSU Extension Educator, explained the state 4-H service project. “Our state 4-H council supports the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Oklahoma City and it is called Change for Change.” She described that 4-H members collect change (coins) from family, friends and area businesses, then donate the money to the foundation to help make a positive change in the health of Oklahoma children.
After learning about the benefits of doing for others and about the encouraging things the Children’s Foundation does, the group walked around the town square visiting businesses.
They introduced themselves, explained the service project and humbly asked for a change donation. Donors received a handmade fabric pumpkin made by the teens. Dana Church and Larissa Mason were the adult sponsors in attendance.
The teens agreed that they had a great time with the workshops and service project and look forward to next year with hopes it will be in-person.