4-H Achievement Day Makes a Comeback in Knox County

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By Crystal Murr, Knox County 4-H Youth Program Associate

The Knox County 4-H Council hosted an Achievement Day on Sunday afternoon, April 24, 2022 in the Knox County R-1 cafeteria.

“After a three year hiatus, a committee of valuable volunteers have reinstated the Achievement Day,” says Murr. “Participation numbers doubled from 2018 for this year’s event, and the quality of presentations was impressive! Our current membership is younger and most of them are just learning what is expected of them at this event.”

Achievement Day gives 4-H members the opportunity to showcase what they have learned in 4-H and engage in friendly competition with their peers. These events are typically held in the spring and no two events are the same from county to county across the state. More than twenty Knox County 4-H members participated in five different areas of competition including Demonstrations, Collections, Personal Development, Table Setting, and Clover Kids Judging. Members were allowed to participate in as many or as few categories as they chose. All of these categories are designed to build member confidence in public speaking and life skills. Members of the Judging committee were Karen Hall, Brent Karhoff, Lisa Bosch, Kim Stevens, and David Hurlbrink.

Demonstrations are a way for members to show others what they have learned in their 4-H projects and activities. Members are given a time limit and there are five main parts to their demonstration: introduction, steps, summary, questions, and conclusion. Three members gave demonstrations: Nora Penn, Liberty Leaders – How to Make a Rubber Band Bracelet, Landon Witherow, County Liners – How to Make a Paper Windsock, and Jonah Wolf, County Liners – How to Blow Up a Balloon (without using your mouth, helium, or water).

The Collections category is an opportunity for youth to become more comfortable speaking in front of adults. Collections subjects are chosen by each member based solely on what they are interested in and do not have to be related to their 4-H projects. Five 4-H members displayed their Collections: Jason Devlin, Liberty Leaders, Civil War; Hallie Glasgow, County Liners, Coin; Reagan James, County Liners, Shopkins; Hailey Luthenauer, County Liners, Rocks & Fossils; and Nathan Penn, Liberty Leaders, Football Cards.

In the Personal Development portion of Achievement Day, 4-H members are scored on an interview with the judge on their grooming habits, attitude, personal appearance, and interview. When speaking with the judge they must be prepared to introduce themselves, telling the judge about their favorite 4-H project, subject, hobby or sport in school. Proper posture and eye contact are also important. Ten members participated in the Personal Development category: Hailey Luthenauer, Kalli Parrish, Hallie Glasgow, Lane James, Lilah James and Reagan James from County Liners, and Teddy Clark, Jason Devlin, Nathan Penn and Nora Penn from the Liberty Leaders 4-H Club.

Adding a new category this year for our valued Clover Kid members ages 5-7, they were given 3 scenarios and asked to choose the best product of four choices based on the scenario: Hank Luthenauer, Joellyn Holman, Dakota Bosch, Lindley Witherow, Jameis Wolf, Kigar James and Alexis Glasgow from County Liners, and Kate Devlin, Jakob Karhoff, and Mason Karhoff from Liberty Leaders. The committee recognized that the number of Clover Kid members grows each year. Including them in this event was a huge success and prepares them for when they are of age to be 4-H members.

The Achievement Day committee provided fruit and veggie trays, cookies, and punch as refreshments. The organizing committee consisted of Miranda Glasgow, Samantha Parrish, Lisa Bosch, Jessica Wolf, Ronnie Leckbee and Julie Penn. “I’m so happy with our turnout this year. The kids that participated seemed to enjoy the day and hopefully gained some valuable criticism and pointers to know what to improve on for next year. I really enjoyed seeing the collections and the enthusiasm that came with them. We will be ready for next year’s event,” comments Miranda Glasgow.