Cheri Nelsen
4-H Youth
Development Volunteer Engagement
W
hen I last reported we were waiting to hear if Wildcat District’s two 4-H members made the cut for State 4-H council interviews. They not only made the cut, they were both elected to serve on the State 4-H council for the next year. Baily Chaplin is a senior at Fredonia High School and has been an active member of Busy Beavers 4-H club for nine years. Cadence Wheeler is a sophomore at Labette County High School and an eight-year member of Lucky Horseshoe 4-H club. Both youth are excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with not only the youth in our district but across the state. I am so proud of both Baily and Cadence for taking that leap into state leadership roles. They will do a great job.
I took four youth from the district to the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum in November. They participated in leadership classes and took part in the election process of their state council representatives. These kids are looking forward to the next event, which is Citizenship in Action coming up in February!
To finish out the year we have had camp planning, 4-H program rally and a fun Exploring 4-H meeting. Ten member 7 to 9 and two younger siblings made ice cream cone Christmas trees and cards. We then delivered them to the nursing home to decorate their tables for Christmas and hand delivered a card to each resident. I’m not sure who had more fun those of us teaching or the kids. The best way to explore projects is to do it. The kids explored visual arts and citizenship. What a great way to “Make the Best Better”. I look forward to a great new year.