Two Union County youths — Jessica Hollifield and Emily Bennett — recently participated in a statewide training where they were awarded the title of 4-H Ambassadors.
That designation makes Hollifield and Bennett currently the only two 4-H participants in Union County to hold that title.
The 4-H Ambassador Program is designed for senior and collegiate aged 4-H’ers — ages 14-25 — and teaches them 4-H leadership and communication skills that will better prepare them to teach others.
In turn, those ambassadors actively apply their own leadership and communication skills by serving as trainers to Regional Senior/Junior Leadership Trainings, Regional 4-H Club Officer Trainings, Regional 4-H Presentation Trainings and Regional 4-H Youth-Adult Partnership Trainings.
The Ambassador Program teaches youth to conduct themselves in a professional manner through their appearance, speech, attitude and actions. It is also designed to provide valuable workforce preparation experiences while supporting the sustainability of 4-H.
Bennett is the daughter of Michael and Robin Bennett and has been a 4-H’er eight years. Her main project area has been the Beef Project but she has also participated in the 4-H Pullet Project for two years, the 4-H Horse Project and is a member of the Union County Livestock Judging Team.
Jessica Hollifield is the daughter of Phillip and Charlotte Hollifield and has been a 4-H’er for two years. Her main project area is the Horse Project but she also participates in the 4-H Pullet Project, the F.A.C.E. project and is a member of the Union County Livestock Judging Team.
Bennett and Hollifield also are members of the Union County 4-H Teen Council and serve as Teen Leaders.
Last year, the two saw a need to offer an animal club that youth could participate in, regardless of whether they lived on a farm or in town. The 4-H K-9 Dog Club was established, with Emily and Jessica serving as the volunteer leaders. The club was an immediate success and has continued to grow to its current enrollment of 23 members.
County 4-H’ers receive awards
Union County 4-H members were honored with a spaghetti supper and awards program on Nov. 12 at the Clemson Extension meeting room in Union.
The program served as a culmination of a year of successful project work in individual projects or in local 4-H clubs. Eighty-seven youths were eligible to receive awards for their successful completion of club work in 2009.
These 4-H Clubs included the 4-H Baking Buddies, the 4-H K-9 Dog Club, the 4-H Rabbit Club, the 4-H Mane Gang Horse Club and the 4-H Teen Council and 23 youths received awards for successful completion of individual project work during the year.
Their projects included the 4-H Meat Goat Project, the 4-H Beef Project, the Food and Cover Establishment for Wildlife Project, 4-H Livestock Judging and the 4-H Pullet Project.
Four senior 4-H’ers were recognized for work as 4-H Teen Leaders during the year. Teen Leaders assist the 4-H agent and adult volunteers during 4-H club meetings as well as summer day camps and other events throughout the year.
Five adult volunteers also were recognized for their service and dedication to the Union County 4-H program during 2009. Adult 4-H volunteers lead and prepare programs for 4-H clubs as well as help with special events and summer programs.
Union County 4-H programs serve youth from ages 5-19 through clubs and individual or group projects that build life skills, teach responsibility, self discipline and citizenship.
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