By Kimber Auvil, Abby Wilfong, Tanner Sebastian, Mateo Hinkle and Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Tucker County 4-H members gathered on Election Day at Camp Kidd and learned to use their heads, hearts, hands and health to provide leadership in their local 4-H Clubs. Officers Training School was a time for 4-H Officers to learn valuable skills from local community volunteers as they lead their clubs through the 4-H year. Training was offered to presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, treasurers, song leaders, game leaders, reporters, historians and club leaders.
Three reporters and one historian helped conduct interviews during Officers Training School, and each helped take photos. Those include 4-H club reporters Kimber Auvil, Abby Wilfong and Tanner Sebastian, and 4-H club historian Mateo Hinkle.
Kimber Auvil interviewed Wendy Wolford and found out she was the coordinator of the event. Kimber wrote about Wolford, “She has also been involved in 4-H for about 20 years and is 33 years old. She joined 4-H when she was nine years old.”
Kimber said she interviewed song leader trainer Beki Bonner and 4-H song leader Joana Leary. Kimber said, “Beki Bonner is teaching songs to do at 4-H Camp and club meetings. She is the Four Leaf Clovers Club Leader.”
Abby Wilfong also interviewed Wendy Wolford. She wrote, “When Wendy Wolford was a kid, she was in the Leadmine Black Bear 4-H Club. She has chickens, ducks and a cat. Her birthday is in December.”
Abby also learned there were about 22 participants in Tuesday’s Officers Training School. She also interviewed Beki Bonner and Joana Leary. “Beki is teaching Joana what songs to sing. Joana went to a YMCA Camp and she is in the Four Leaf Clovers 4-H Club. Joana’s favorite song to sing is ‘Tarzan’ and Beki’s favorite songs are ‘Pass It On’ and ‘The Hs 4.’ Joana is 8-years-old and this is her first year in 4-H.”
Tanner Sebastian interviewed two 4-Hers during the event. He wrote, “Andrew Bonner is in 6th grade and this is his first year in 4-H. He is 11-years-old and attends Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School. He has one dog and his favorite color is blue. Andrew thinks he is very impatient.”
Tanner also interviewed Aiden Sigley. “Aiden is in third grade and this is his first year in 4-H. He goes to Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School and likes playing video games. He said he likes to play games and was at Officer Training School learning to be a game leader for his 4-H Club.”
Tanner interviewed four adult leaders during Officers Training School. He wrote, “Holly Hinkle has been a 4-H Leader for five years. She went to Oakland University, lives on a farm and is an artist. She is a leader in the Pathfinders 4-H Club.” When interviewing the instructor for the 4-H Game Leaders, he wrote, “David Cooper taught the group games during Officers Training School. He has been involved in 4-H for 6 years and he lives on a farm. David Cooper went to Tucker County High School.”
4-H in Tucker County is a wonderful opportunity for youth ages 9 through 21 to experience skill building, make lifelong friendships, explore interests, try new things, attend camp and so many more exciting activities. They currently have seven clubs in the county which hold monthly meetings and three special interest clubs, the JETS, Shooting Sports and Teen Leaders. Anyone interested in joining 4-H can contact the Tucker County 4-H Extension Office by calling 304-478-2949, ext. 209. Their office is located at 215 First St. in Parsons in the Tucker County Courthouse. They have a Facebook page and additional information is available online at www.tucker.ext.wvu.edu/4h.