August Update

We are….PENN STATE!!!!!

I am pleased to let everyone know, I survived my first week of college!!! These past few weeks have been super busy.

First, at the beginning of August, we all gathered here on campus for State Achievement Days! Congratulations to all participants on another great event!! I enjoyed all of our State Council activities and time spent with my team, it was fun. After leaving to go home with my county, our bus broke down!! We spent at least two hours waiting for another bus to come to the rescue!
When I got home…finally…it was time to start getting ready for the county fair. The Somerset County Fair was held Aug 16-23. It was another difficult week for me because it was the end of my reign as 2007 Fair Queen. The contest went well…I was too stubborn to cry during my speech. I also showed a lamb and a steer this year. I had a lot of fun showing my steer in the showmanship class and learned a lot more this year. The best part of the week was spending time with my friends from past fairs and 4-H. In between all the preparation for fair, I also packed for college. I moved in this past Saturday. It was so hard to say goodbye to everyone since it will be a while until I see them. So now I’m here in State College, rushing around to classes and trying to get my work completed.
Here at school, I am in the college of Agricultural Sciences. Currently, I am considering an animal science degree with the business management option. Yesterday, we had an exciting day as new students with a field trip to several farms/facilities. My favorite was a nearby wildlife refuge where they have all types of exotic animals.

I never really pictured myself attending school here, studying to work in the agriculture industry. I am so thankful for my 4-H involvement because it was my initial exposure to animal sciences. It makes this experience so much better. Plus, I haven’t been lost yet thanks to all those years attending State Days!!!

In closing, I hope everyone is off to a great start back to school! Meanwhile, I’ll be studying or enjoying all Penn State has to offer here at University Park!

Forever bleeding green, (but I still had to show some nittany lion spirit!!)

Danielle Shaffer
PS4-HC President

July Blog

In the past month the county council hosted our annual pet show. The pet show was open to three to fourteen year olds and any type of pet was allowed. There were several classes including: dogs, cats, barnyard animals, and water animals. Categories included obedience, costume, and appearance. The obedience show incorporated the sit and stay, heal, figure eight and finish commands. One of the contestants was a four-year-old boy, who had a pet Labrador who when commanded to sit, could stare directly into his owners eyes. The costume show received a great turnout of seventeen entries. The finalist was a young girl and her dog Benji. The girl was dressed as a catsup bottle, and the dog, a Chihuahua was dressed as a hot dog. The second place winner was another young girl dressed as Dorothy from "The Wizard of Oz" and her dog as Toto. I had a great time organizing the children and their treasured pets. PS: Keep collecting those pop tabs.

Hey fellow 4-hers
I'm so excited to see everyone at State Days!! I have been so busy it's not even funny.My fellow council members and I have some pretty neat stuff ready for State Days.!!! We also have been working really hard and trying to enjoy our summer!! Atleast I know i have its been crazy my county fair was last week and I'm still trying to get everything cleaned up and recover from that!!

Well can't wait to see you in State College!!

Your secretary
Rachel Gruver