Local 4-H members participate in regional competition
SUMMIT POINT — Jefferson County 4-H members have faced an unusual year of contests and competitions held virtually and/or through recorded means. Despite the challenges of adjusting to the changes in presentations, the members rose to the occasion, with three participating in the inaugural Northeast States 4-H Presentations Fest on Sept. 18.
The Fest, led by Melanie Forstrom of Cornell Cooperative Extension, showcased the presentation skills of 37 youth from 10 states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.
Participating from Jefferson County and earning ribbons, were West Virginia representatives Emily Thurgood, Julie Fincham and Sheraya Alford.
Thurgood, 16, is a member of the Summit Point Busy Bees 4-H Club. A 4-H member for seven years, Thurgood chose her formal speech topic of “Dreams,” which earned her a red ribbon during the Presentation Fest.
According to Amanda Johnson, extension agent for Jefferson County, the judges said Thurgood was “very knowledgeable about her topic and they enjoyed learning some new information.”
In the area of Illustrated Talk, Fincham, 13, focused on West Virginia Festivals. A 13-year-old, Fincham is also a member of the Summit Point Busy Bees Club and has participated in 4-H for six years.
Her talk earned a blue ribbon from the judges at the Fest, who thought she answered questions posed by the audience particularly well.
“They also noted that she had excellent flow to her presentation and a strong outline,” Johnson said.
Sheraya Alford, 14, is a member of the Shore Blazers 4-H Club in Jefferson County. She gave a blue-ribbon demonstration at the Presentation Fest on “How to Wash Your Clothes,” a topic the judges saw as creative. Alford recorded the presentation in her own laundry room, another feature that made her demonstration unique.
To reach the point of participation in the Presentation Fest, the competitors first had to compete at the 4-H County Roundup in March. Those presentations, out of a total of 26 4-H members, were reviewed by a team of judges, culminating in a virtual awards ceremony in March 2021.
Competition then went further to the state 4-H Presentation Expo held in April. From there, Fincham, Thurgood, Alford, Mackenzie Madrid and Cierra Yates advanced to the Northeast States 4-H Presentation Fest.
“All of the participants did an outstanding job,” Johnson said. “I was very impressed with their skills and knowledge.
“We are all proud of the participants and know that they represented Jefferson County well at the state level and the multi-state level,” Johnson said. “It is clear that they are our future leaders.”
For more information on the 4-H program in Jefferson County, email aj.johnson2@mail.wvu.edu or contact the WVU Extension Office, 1948 Wiltshire Rd, Suite 3, Kearneysville, 304-728-7413.