Preparing Youth for Tomorrow

Preparing our youth for tomorrow’s challenges should be a community-wide effort as we all benefit.

As a youth, I was an active 4-H Club member participating in demonstration day where we would give speeches and show what we could do best such as baking, also being in sewing contests, attending camps and conventions and making life-long friends.

Recently on a trip to Nashville, I visited my 4-H leader, Jack Joyner. I wanted him to know how he and 4-H had influenced my life.

I took some memorabilia with me, a letter he had sent me to award me a scholarship from the Kiwanis Club to attend a state convention. The letter was dated June 18, 1962. It was a big deal for me. Being in that club made a poor girl rich.

It is said that one in seven adults in the United States were once 4-H members. Jasper County has a very active club. After 112 years, the club is still influencing lives and as their motto says, “To make the best better.”

In addition to 4-H, Jasper County students can also join many organizations through school and churches that will make a big influence in their lives, encourage their membership and support their causes.

Thanks to a 4-H fund raiser, we have several blueberry bushes in our yard.