our youth: AG STAR KIDS
Adalay Sexton –
Foodie Star of the Springtown 4-H
BY EMMA MOORMAN
COURTESY PHOTO
NOVEMBER 2016
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
A
dalay Sexton, 16, is heavily involved in the
Springtown 4-H Club, competing for the last
seven years in food shows, food challenges and
nutrition quiz bowl events and just recently got
involved in the performing arts project.
She has also been studying musical theater
since the sixth grade. Adalay has gone to state
in two events through performing arts, including the duet she sang with her sister for 4-H Has
Talent, as well as a solo in another competition. When asked about this experience, she
said she enjoyed “performing on stage in front
of 4000 people two nights in a row.” In addition to her involvement in food and nutrition
and the performing arts, she is also involved in
leadership. She is a District 3 county officer and
second vice president as well as parliamentarian
of her Springtown 4-H club.
This well-rounded girl is using her knowledge
to benefit her community. She has qualified for
state in every food and nutrition competition she
has competed in this year, as well as in 2015.
Last year she earned third place in her main
competition of food show and her ultimate goal
is to place first in food show.
What draws her to food and nutrition? It’s
the opportunity to learn about nutrition, because
she had childhood dreams of growing up to be
a dietitian. “Even though I’m the most unhealthy
person in the world, learning about nutrition is
fun for me,” she said.
Her favorite part of the performing arts project is the experience of being on stage. “I really
enjoy being on stage. I’ve enjoyed it my whole
life,” Adalay said. “Now, throughout the state
everyone in 4-H knows me as the girl that sang
‘Taylor the Latte Boy,” she laughed.
Adalay’s biggest success so far in both the
performing arts and in food and nutrition has put
her at what could be considered a major crossroad in her life. “I have two sides to me,” Adalay
explained. “I have my agricultural side and then
I have my music side. I have always been stuck
between agriculture and art.” Recently, on her
application to 4-H congress she wrote that she
wanted to “go back to West Texas and be a
wheat farmer; then major in musical theater.”
Unfortunately, her dreams of being a “musical
92
farmer,” are still in her distant future while she works on her 4-H
projects.
“4-H has helped me a lot,” she said. “Even if I don’t go into
something agricultural, I know it has helped shape me into a great
person. It has also helped my leadership qualities and taught me
the importance of citizenship.” Adalay believes that even if 4-H
doesn’t end up impacting her career path, it has had a vital influence on her life.