By TRISHA GEDON
OSU Extention
STILLWATER — What happens when you combine recognition of hard work and achievement, educational workshops, competitive events, making new friends and $100,000 in educational scholarships? These are just a few of the ingredients for a successful 97th State 4-H Roundup.
Nearly 800 club members, volunteer leaders and Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension educators gathered recently on the OSU campus for the state’s biggest 4-H event. This year’s theme was Capture Your Moments, Develop Your Future.
Serving as delegates from Kay County were Nolan Overman, Austin Grossardt, Wyatt Miller, Anthony Horinek and Riley Price.
“We were so excited to have everyone on campus recently for State 4-H Roundup. It’s always great to have the delegates at OSU, recognize their achievements, offer learning opportunities and to just have fun,” said Cathy Allen, curriculum coordinator in the State 4-H Office.
State 4-H Roundup has a long history of providing learning opportunities for youth, as well as the chance to take part in a wide variety of contests. Some of those winners will go on to compete on a national scale.
A group of Kingfisher County 4-H’ers demonstrated their culinary talents by creating a dish using secret ingredients, including pancetta, gnocchi, candied jalapenos and snow peas, along with a pantry of other common food items, to capture the 4-H Food Showdown championship. They will compete in the National Food Challenge in Dallas, Texas, in October.
The FCS Skill-a-thon championship team is from Pontotoc County and will take part in the national contest at Denver Western Roundup. This event will take place in Denver, Colorado, in January 2019.
In addition, club members from Cherokee County brought home the championship in the Livestock Quiz Bowl. They will travel to Nebraska in late September to take part in the Annual Aksarben Stock Show Quiz Bowl competition.
Allen explained Roundup has always served as a recruiting tool for the university, and through Pete’s Picnic, delegates had an opportunity to learn even more about what OSU has to offer potential students. Every college on campus had a booth set up at the picnic, along with various clubs and organizations, and they shared information about majors and career opportunities.
“We introduced Pete’s Picnic at last year’s Roundup. We received such positive feedback on it we knew we had to do it again,” she said. “This truly was a great opportunity for 4-H’ers to gain a better understanding of the university.”
The Honor Night Banquet for the top three club members in each of the project areas, as well as the scholarship finalists, gave the club members an opportunity to talk with the generous donors who make the scholarships possible.
Blayne Arthur, State 4-H Foundation executive director, said this time-honored tradition is a favorite for everyone involved.
“Thanks to our very generous donors, we’re able to present deserving 4-H’ers with more than $100,000 in educational scholarships later in the evening during the Honor Night Assembly,” Arthur said. “The banquet is a chance for the club members to meet the donors who support the scholarship program.”
The Honor Night Banquet also is a time to recognize former club members, as well as those who support 4-H. Devon Energy Corporation was recognized as the State Partner in 4-H award winner. This award is given to individuals or organizations who have provided significant support to Oklahoma 4-H through donations of time or financial support.
Michelle Stephens, who is an active volunteer in Custer County, was recognized with the Outstanding 4-H Alumni Award. This award recognizes the significant contributions the award winner has made to his or her community since they completed their days as a 4-H’er. She was a 4-H’er in Beckham County.
During the Honor Night Assembly, two club members were recognized with the highest award an Oklahoma 4-H’er can achieve on the state level. Brandi Moore, Pittsburg County, and Reagan Stephens, Custer County, were awarded the honor of being inducted into the State 4-H Hall of Fame. They each received a $2,500 scholarship provided by Oklahoma Ag Credit.
It is no secret Oklahoma is a state filled with people who have giving hearts, and that generosity was recognized on stage with a check for $66,468. These funds were collected through the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation and will soon be distributed to the 4-H families who were affected by the wildfires in Northwest Oklahoma earlier this year. In addition, the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation will be giving each of those families $1,000 to help recover from the wildfires.
The final day of State 4-H Roundup always is exciting. Some very talented 4-H’ers took to the stage during the Capstone Assembly to compete in 4-H Has Talent, and Hannah Riley from Stephens County took home first place with her dance routine.
As always, one of the highlights of the Capstone Assembly was the announcement of the 2018-2019 State Leadership Council. Elected to office are Trent Gibbs, president, Stephens County; Mary Lee Hainzinger, vice president, Osage County; Madison Stephens, secretary, Custer County; Austin Rankin, reporter, Woods County; Lillie Snider, recreation leader, Payne County; Holly Levick, West District representative, Comanche County; Erin Slagell, West District representative, Custer County; Kale Kennedy, West District representative, Grady County; Grace Palmer, Southeast District representative, McCurtain County; Hunter Haxton, Southeast District representative, McClain County; Kristen Chapa, Southeast District representative, Marshall County; LaBreska Jones, Northeast District representative, Tulsa County; Audrey Ochsner, Northeast District representative, Payne County; and Raphael Wall, Northeast District representative, Payne County.
“State 4-H Roundup is a wonderful opportunity for our 4-H youth,” said Kevin Allen, state 4-H program leader. “It’s the culmination of our 4-H year and provides a great stage on which to recognize our extremely dedicated club members. We’re already looking forward to State 4-H Roundup 2019.”
The Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development Program is part of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and engages thousands of youth across the state on an annual basis.