W
ildcat 4-H youth and agents kicked off the month of March with Regional 4-H Day in Chanute, Kansas. Regional 4-H Day is for the top youth who qualify in each category at their county club day contest in February. Montgomery County had youth compete at regionals in reading, musical solos, instrumental solos and ensembles, public speaking, and demonstrations. Wildcat agents are responsible for securing judges, bringing supplies, being door monitors, and organizing ribbons at the end of the event.
March has been a good month to get information out to the public. I appeared on Wildcat Wednesday to introduce the Wildcat District Extension Education Foundation. I was also able to promote 4-H and other upcoming events on the radio this month. I enjoyed talking to high school youth about upcoming events and careers as an Extension Agent at Independence High School’s Career Day. Career day is set up like a mini job fair and youth travel around the different tables getting ideas for future careers! Over 500 eighth grade through seniors attended the event.
This month I helped agent Jeri Geren with her youth wildlife program talking about 4-H insect boxes. Agent Jacob Weber presented before me on identifying insect pests and then I followed up regarding capturing those insects for display in the entomology project. I’m excited that 4-H agents have partnered with Jacob Weber to bring a pumpkin growing contest to each county 4-H program! This contest will start in late May, the ideal time for planting pumpkins! This month was the first time I got to present my social media safety program and work with youth and adults on their social media privacy settings. This program was part of the Kid’s Crew series at elementary school in Independence. We covered privacy settings on Snapchat and Facebook and walked through scenarios explaining why those privacy settings are important! I look forward to talking this programming to more high school aged youth, especially seniors before they go to college or start applying for jobs.
Montgomery County 4-H Council held their bi-monthly meeting in March and made some excited plans for our local camp and the fair. Our older youth do a wonderful job of running the meeting, participating in discussions, and making decisions. I think one of the best skills youth gain is learning it’s ok to have a good discussion with differences of opinion and compromise to reach an end decision. It’s important for our youth to understand discussions and differences of opinions on one matter does not have to affect their friendships. One way Montgomery County 4-H will be growing those friendships is at our annual basketball tournament at the end of March! This is a fun away for youth across clubs to interact and to make new friends across the county!