4-H News:

48 4-Hers Recognized for Community Volunteerism

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Forty-eight 4-H members from across America are being honored by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program that recognizes young people for exemplary acts of volunteerism.

Eighteen 4-H members were among 102 young people named State Honorees. Another 30 4-Hers were among the 234 Distinguished Finalists.

Each of the 102 State Honorees will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC, from May 6-9, 2006, for several days of national recognition events. Ten State Honorees will be named America's top youth volunteers for 2006 at that time. Each of the Distinguished Finalists will receive an engraved bronze medallion.

The youth being honored this year aided the sick, disabled and disadvantaged, tutored and mentored younger children, reached out to senior citizens, promoted health and safety, protected the environment and conducted fund-raising or collection drives for hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast.

"The recipients of these awards vividly demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities," said Art Ryan, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. "They truly deserve all of the praise and encouragement we can give them."

4-H members among Prudential Spirit of Community Awards State Honorees are Jennifer Crouse and Jeffery Sullivan, Delaware; Jenna Meeks, Idaho; Haley Sack, Illlinois; Kevin Peyton and Natasha Swanson, Iowa; Lauren Hoge, Kansas; David Tao, Kentucky; Victoria LeBlanc, Louisiana; Claire McInnis, Mississippi; Nicholas Schwaderer, Montana; Emily Wemhoff, Nebraska; Miranda Uriell, North Dakota; Kylie Stowers, Oklahoma; Welland Burnside, South Carolina; Tasha Kloesel, Texas; Jacob Hixenbaugh, West Virgina; and Marie Schow, Wyoming.

4-H members among Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Distinguished Finalists are Tatiana Butler, Alaska; Amanda Stolarz and Karla Emerson, Arkanasa; Cedric Jacob, Delaware; Danielle Padgett, Florida; Jessica Hansen, Idaho; Savannah Holderman, Indiana; Benjamin Brown, Marla Claussen and Janelle Vittetoe, Iowa; Austin Jacobs and Janie Williams, Kentucky; Kristie Waddle, Louisiana; Bethany Lyon and Rebecca Nesbit, Michigan; Leanna Baumer, Ashley Kelsey, and Julia Shuck, Missouri; MaryLou Andrews, Nebraska; Natalie Bergstrom, Nevada; Daniel Feldman, New Jersey; Claudette Martin, New York; Amanda Lynch and Christine Orchard, Ohio; Matthew Taylor, Oklahoma; Rayanna Mitchell, Oregon; Ricardo Robinson, South Carolina; Shannon Babb, Utah; Russell Hixenbaugh, West Virginia; and Erica Robertson, Wyoming.

The awards program is conducted by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Information on the volunteer activities of all of the State Honorees can be found at www.prudential.com/spirit or at www.principals.org/prudential.
Return to top

4-H Members “Iron Chef” on Food Network

HAYNESVILLE, La.—4-H member Christopher Burch has been cooking up a storm. All that hard work has landed him on the Food Network’s “How Do You Iron Chef?” airing Tuesday, February 28. Burch will join fellow 4-H member Shelby Harper as they prepare a Louisiana specialty – alligator.

However, Christopher did not get on the show by chance – it was actually his own initiative. One day, as he was watching Iron Chef America with his family, Christopher realized that alligator could be a great addition to the Iron Chef menu. So the family decided to send in the idea for the network to consider.

“When I suggested they should use alligator, I never thought we would hear back from them,” Christopher said. But in just a short time after the suggestion, the Food Network contacted Burch to see if he would be interested in competing in “How Do You Iron Chef?”

On Saturday, February 4, Shelby and her mother, Lori, competed against Christopher and his father, Donald, during the filming of the show. The dueling duos cooked a variety of dishes including alligator fettuccini, alligator salad and even alligator balls. In the end, all those involved had a blast.

“Really there were no winners or losers in this as everyone was presented with a great opportunity and had a great time,” said Renea Burch, Christopher’s mother.

Christopher joined 4-H in fourth grade and has been cooking ever since. He has won numerous local and district awards and trophies for his cookery. Recently, Burch had an opportunity to help the Hurricane Katrina evacuees. He and his mother joined members of their church to prepare and serve supper for approximately 300 evacuees that were staying at Lake Camp Harris in Homer, La.

Be sure to catch Christopher and Shelby on Tuesday, February 28! Visit www.foodnetwork.com to find your local listing or to learn more about the “How Do You Iron Chef?”

HAYNESVILLE, La.—Christopher Burch and his father, Donald, are busy making one of their alligator specialties for “How Do You Iron Chef?”
Return to top

National 4-H Council Welcomes Spring Program Assistants

CHEVY CHASE, Md.—Four young adults have joined National 4-H Council through May 2006 to lead the National 4-H Youth Conference Center’s Wonders of Washington (WOW) Program. The new WOW program assistants (PAs) are Kate Bainbridge and Tiffany Sciacca, both of Colorado; Ruth Neil of Minnesota; and Kim Schriver of Ohio.

WOW brings groups of youth from across the country to Washington, D.C., to learn about the government and history of the nation’s capital. The PAs are instrumental in providing an enjoyable and educational stay for these groups.

“We are excited to have them join our team, and they are excited to be here,” said Maren Weber, staff assistant for WOW and Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF), a six-day intensive summer citizenship program for youth ages 14-19.

Learn more about WOW at www.wow.n4h.org. If you or someone you know wants to apply to be a WOW PA, contact Lita Haarer at 301-961-2898 or lhaarer@fourhcouncil.edu.

CHEVY CHASE, Md.—The spring Wonders of Washington (WOW) program assistants stop training for a group photo in front of the National 4-H Youth Conference Center, their home through May 2006.
Return to top

2006 4-H Literacy Education Mini-Grants Available

Funding provided by Bridgestone/Firestone Trust Fund, Firestone Agricultural Tire Company

Application Deadline: March 17, 2006, 5 p.m. EST

The 2006 4-H Literacy Education Mini-Grants offers a limited number of youth grants in the amount of $500 to $2,000 to 4 H/Extension groups in local communities, in counties, and at the state level. This program provides opportunities for young people and adults to address critical literacy needs of youth and their families. Youth are empowered to lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation process with minimal mentorship from adults. Youth will learn how their leadership can result in community collaborations that amplify the impact of their project.

Grants are offered only to 4-H/Extension Programs in the United States and its territories. If you are not a part of 4-H, we encourage you to contact your local Cooperative Extension office and become a project collaborator!

Information and the grant application can be found at www.fourhcouncil.edu/GrantsLiteracy.aspx on the bottom of the page under “Related Links.” Completed applications are due on Friday, March 17, 2006. If you have any questions, contact Sheila Chaconas at schaconas@fourhcouncil.edu or 301-961-2858.

E-mail your grant application as an attachment to your state 4-H office, 1890/1994 administrator or the state programs/contracts office (SPO) for review before the March 17 deadline. Your designated office will then forward your grant application as an e-mail attachment to: 2006literacy@fourhcouncil.edu. Applications must be received via e-mail, as an attachment, in our e-mail inbox no later than 5 p.m. EST, Friday, March 17, 2006.
Return to top

Programs of Distinction Information Sessions Next Week

National 4-H Headquarters, United States Department of Agriculture, will host two identical Programs of Distinction informational sessions designed for those individuals who would like to learn more about how to submit a program manuscript for peer review.

They are scheduled from 3-4:30 p.m. EST Tuesday, February 21 and 2-3:30 p.m. Friday, February 24. Centra web meeting will be used for each session.

The sessions will include:
• An overview of the Programs of Distinction peer review process
• Peer reviewer tips for submitting a successful manuscript
• Information about the Annie E. Casey 4-H Families Count Family Strengthening Awards

To register for one of the two sessions, please send an e-mail to POD@csrees.usda.gov. Please include “Info Session” in the subject line. Space is limited for each session, but additional sessions will be added if there is sufficient demand. Please disseminate this message to your staff and colleagues. For more information about Programs of Distinction, visit www.national4-hheadquarters.gov.
Return to top

4-H International Toolkit Available

National 4-H Headquarters announces the availability of a 4-H International Toolkit to assist countries interested in creating 4-H type programs.

The 4-H International Toolkit has been created to respond to requests from other countries for assistance in establishing 4-H type programs in their own countries. The Toolkit is an evolving resource that aids countries in assessing needs, determining programmatic areas and responding with well rounded, positive youth development clubs. The Toolkit is available from National 4-H Headquarters via CD-ROM, hard copy, or on our website www.national4-hheadquarters.gov. The 4-H International Toolkit will be regularly updated with new materials as they become available. We welcome submission of materials from State 4-H Programs with experience in partnering with other countries.

At this time, copies of the toolkit have been sent out to Pakistan, Ghana, Serbia and Montenegro, Grenada, and the Rand Corp. for possible use in Iraq and Afghanistan. More countries have expressed interest in 4-H programs and how such programs may possibly fit into their nation’s support of their youth. We are also encouraging partnerships between interested countries and state and local 4-H Programs domestically. Please let us know if your state may have interest in such a partnership.

For more information about the Toolkit, to submit a resource, or to indicate interest in a partnership, contact Joey DeMarco, program specialist, National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA at jdemarco@csrees.usda.gov or 202-720-2088.
Return to top

Scrapbooking Supplies and More Now at the 4-H Mall

The 4-H Mall has a complete selection of 4-H scrapbooking goodies, including scrapbook papers, stickers and more, now and stick and ready for immediate shipment.

To see all of our scrapbooking supplies plus our colorful collection of 4-H note cards, please click here.

The 4-H Mall is ready to serve you – visit us now at: www.4-hmall.org.

Return to top

Resources and Opportunities:

International Essay Competition 2006

More than one fifth of the world's population is between the ages of 12 and 24, with 1.3 billion young people living in developing countries. In order to learn from youth how they can make a difference in reducing poverty, the World Bank is launching the International Essay Competition 2006. The World Essay Competition is open to all young people, students and non-students alike, between the ages of 18 and 25. To find out about the competition, visit: www.essaycompetition.org.
Return to top

New Resources from Harvard Family Research Project

Four new resources for out-of-school time providers and families are available on Harvard Family Research Project websites. Some of the available resources include using children’s storybooks to promote family involvement, an overview of technology-focused programming in the non-school hours, understanding how to engage families in after school programs and more. To view these resources or to subscribe to learn more, click here.
Return to top

NEH Announces Essay Contest

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) invites all eligible high school juniors to enter the 2006 Idea of America Essay Contest. Open to 11th-grade students and 16- and 17-year-old home-schooled students, the 2006 Idea of America Essay Contest offers a cash prize of $5,000 to the author of the winning essay. Three national finalists will each receive cash prizes of $1,000. The deadline for entries is April 19, 2006.

For the 2006 contest, students will be asked to write an essay that examines the historical debate in the nation's First Congress over the benefits and disadvantages of adopting the First Amendment. To find out the details about the contest, click here.
Return to top

Help Immigrant Youth Workers With Your Input

The National Collaboration for Youth is looking for feedback on how to improve the recruitment and retention of youth workers in the delivery of services to immigrant youth. To assist in this effort, take a moment to fill out their online survey by clicking here.
Return to top