Season’s Greetings!
I hope everyone had a spectacular Christmas and I wish you a happy new year!
I wish I had more to share but life has been a bit uneventful for me lately. I just completed my first semester of college and I am still completely unsure of the direction I want to pursue in my educational endeavors. As far as State Council goes, I am greatly looking forward to the upcoming Pennsylvania Farm Show.
I find this time of year to be the most difficult for me as far as motivation goes. Perhaps it is the weather. I typically do not make New Year’s resolutions, but this year I am trying. I have already purchased a fitness pass for at school, so now I have no excuse for not exercising. Also, I have a few art projects and sewing projects and scrapbooks to finish. Also, I must begin to make decisions about school. I think this is a good time of year to begin to set my 4-H goals for the upcoming year. In reality, there is only a single month left to our term on PS4-HC. It defiantly does not seem like a year, but soon, a new council will continue in our place. I wish them the all the best! Being a Council member is a great honor, and a great responsibility. This experience can teach a person much about life, if they are open to those lessons. But it will soon be time to move on to new goals. I encourage you all to begin to set your own goals for the new 4-H year as well. Here are some of mine:
1. Improve my ability in the show ring, I currently have a crossbred steer and hope to purchase a lamb as well. (I wish I had time for more!)
2. Complete a sewing project, maybe another gown or maybe a costume.
3. Woodworking…I hope to make something larger and useful that I can keep forever, but have yet to decide.
4. Attend as many events as I can around my college and work schedule.
Most importantly, I want to enjoy this year of 4-H as much as I can because even though I have time left, the next year will be almost impossible to stay active especially since I would love to study abroad. I have spent a great deal of time over the past few months reflecting, every memory, every experience in a person’s life is significant if you allow it to be. I have been so blessed! As the start of 2009 is upon us, I wish for you all to be able to look back over past year in peace, seeing all that you are blessed with. Allow the lessons of the past year to help you set goals for the coming year. I am terrible at setting goals, but this year I hope to improve that and stay motivated to continue on to complete those projects and make the changes in my life I know are completely necessary. Once again, don’t hesitate to set your 4-H goals and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR! See you all at the Farm Show!
Yours in green,
Danielle Shaffer
PS4-HC President
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
The End Is Near!
I’m really not sure if the end being near is a good thing, or a bad thing, though. I like to think of it as a bitter-sweet ending. My term in Pennsylvania 4-H State Council was more than anyone could ever ask for. I made friends that I’ll keep forever, met very intelligent and interesting people, and most importantly got to work with three great advisors, from whom I’ve learn so much from. Mostly, I learned that hard work will get you far and not to procrastinate.
This year, I was able to attend the State Leadership Conference, which I’ve never been to before. I started off my year there learning what it takes to be a great leader. At the end of the weekend I was inducted, and was given one of those unforgettable green jackets. My term just started, and I had so much to learn; I did most of my learning the next weekend at training for the “seven chosen teens”. It was a weekend I’ll never forget! I was all excited to miss a little bit of school and be at a 4-H event, but that weekend I learned that being a leader isn’t all fun and games! It is usually fun, but also does require hard work, a lot of time, and very long days, sometimes.
I also got to attend State Capital Days. This was the group’s first “appearance” as a team. I know I had a blast spending time with other 4-Hers interested in congress, we even had to pass our own bill; that sure was an experience in itself! As the summer rolled around, we all headed home to our own counties and regions. I was a camp counselor at my regional overnight camp, as well as Westmoreland County’s day camp. Both were a blast like always, but I’ll never ever forget my canoe trip at day camp. My canoe was the first to go out and all the others started going the other way, so I got out and pulled the boat through rapids, only to find out that we were indeed the ones going the right way. Everyone laughed about that for days!
I think my favorite new experience this year was State Days, because I’ve always wanted to go and take part in some of the contests, but I couldn’t because it always seemed to be during my family’s vacation week. This year I was not a contestant, but that didn’t really matter. I got to start the event off by having a blast, as we performed our “Olympic Skit” in the Eisenhower Auditorium. It was such a blast!! I loved being up on the huge stage, and I think the performance really got everyone pumped. It was sad to see the week come to an end, but great to see how well everyone did.
Now as I finish up my year, I get to have dinner with the governor at the beginning of January. I cannot wait, it’s not like everyone can say they ate with the governor. I’ll also take part in the opening ceremonies for the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Then at the end of the month, my team and I will get to showcase all of our hard work at the 2009 State Leadership Conference. I think saying I’m excited would be an understatement. I hope many people who’ve gone before decide to come again, as well as seeing many new faces.
That’s all for me in the year 2008! I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year and see you at SLC!!
Emily Gabriel
This year, I was able to attend the State Leadership Conference, which I’ve never been to before. I started off my year there learning what it takes to be a great leader. At the end of the weekend I was inducted, and was given one of those unforgettable green jackets. My term just started, and I had so much to learn; I did most of my learning the next weekend at training for the “seven chosen teens”. It was a weekend I’ll never forget! I was all excited to miss a little bit of school and be at a 4-H event, but that weekend I learned that being a leader isn’t all fun and games! It is usually fun, but also does require hard work, a lot of time, and very long days, sometimes.
I also got to attend State Capital Days. This was the group’s first “appearance” as a team. I know I had a blast spending time with other 4-Hers interested in congress, we even had to pass our own bill; that sure was an experience in itself! As the summer rolled around, we all headed home to our own counties and regions. I was a camp counselor at my regional overnight camp, as well as Westmoreland County’s day camp. Both were a blast like always, but I’ll never ever forget my canoe trip at day camp. My canoe was the first to go out and all the others started going the other way, so I got out and pulled the boat through rapids, only to find out that we were indeed the ones going the right way. Everyone laughed about that for days!
I think my favorite new experience this year was State Days, because I’ve always wanted to go and take part in some of the contests, but I couldn’t because it always seemed to be during my family’s vacation week. This year I was not a contestant, but that didn’t really matter. I got to start the event off by having a blast, as we performed our “Olympic Skit” in the Eisenhower Auditorium. It was such a blast!! I loved being up on the huge stage, and I think the performance really got everyone pumped. It was sad to see the week come to an end, but great to see how well everyone did.
Now as I finish up my year, I get to have dinner with the governor at the beginning of January. I cannot wait, it’s not like everyone can say they ate with the governor. I’ll also take part in the opening ceremonies for the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Then at the end of the month, my team and I will get to showcase all of our hard work at the 2009 State Leadership Conference. I think saying I’m excited would be an understatement. I hope many people who’ve gone before decide to come again, as well as seeing many new faces.
That’s all for me in the year 2008! I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year and see you at SLC!!
Emily Gabriel
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Hey 4-Her's
Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the holiday season!!I know after Thanksgiving I will be heading off to Atlanta for the National 4-H Congress along with a few others from the state and around the Nation.I believe we will be doing some things similar to our Leadership Conference only on a much larger scale. We will be meeting lots of new people, participating in workshops, but also getting to see the city of Atlanta. I don't know a whole lot else about it but I will be sure to let you know when I return.
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving
Your Secretary,
Rachel
Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the holiday season!!I know after Thanksgiving I will be heading off to Atlanta for the National 4-H Congress along with a few others from the state and around the Nation.I believe we will be doing some things similar to our Leadership Conference only on a much larger scale. We will be meeting lots of new people, participating in workshops, but also getting to see the city of Atlanta. I don't know a whole lot else about it but I will be sure to let you know when I return.
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving
Your Secretary,
Rachel
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The End is Near
WOW!! To think that I have only two short months left of being a council member, it’s unbelievable. I have learned so much from being chosen as a council member. I have learned so many more things about the 4-H program, as well as realizing many new things about myself. I often like to think that council helped me mature during this sweet sixteen year of mine.
Pennsylvania 4-H State Council is much more time- consuming than anyone could ever imagine. I think that it really helped to prepare me for my future college life. During my term, I relied on my parents less and less to help me through assignments. They did not need to remind me about upcoming events. Throughout the term, my advisors helped me learn that excuses can only get you so far. You need to get your work done, and done on time. Whenever I’m talking about excuses, I always like to throw this one little quote out there, something that my favorite teacher used to say: “Excuses are like bellybuttons, everyone has one.” You should try to memorize this quote, and try not to make excuses. Council is much more than “being the face of 4-H”, it’s an experience like no other. Words can not even explain all of the opportunities one may be offered.
Some advice for any incoming council member, you must prepare yourself for the most amazing year of your life. But also be ready to put 110 percent of the work in. You will really thank yourself later. Any PA 4-Hers should come up and talk to someone in one of those one of a kind green blazers. I promise we don’t bite. Ask us what we’ve been up to, and how you can become more involved. Ask us anything that you are possibly wondering about; I’m sure one of us will have an answer.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Emily Gabriel
Pennsylvania 4-H State Council is much more time- consuming than anyone could ever imagine. I think that it really helped to prepare me for my future college life. During my term, I relied on my parents less and less to help me through assignments. They did not need to remind me about upcoming events. Throughout the term, my advisors helped me learn that excuses can only get you so far. You need to get your work done, and done on time. Whenever I’m talking about excuses, I always like to throw this one little quote out there, something that my favorite teacher used to say: “Excuses are like bellybuttons, everyone has one.” You should try to memorize this quote, and try not to make excuses. Council is much more than “being the face of 4-H”, it’s an experience like no other. Words can not even explain all of the opportunities one may be offered.
Some advice for any incoming council member, you must prepare yourself for the most amazing year of your life. But also be ready to put 110 percent of the work in. You will really thank yourself later. Any PA 4-Hers should come up and talk to someone in one of those one of a kind green blazers. I promise we don’t bite. Ask us what we’ve been up to, and how you can become more involved. Ask us anything that you are possibly wondering about; I’m sure one of us will have an answer.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Emily Gabriel
hello
Hello Everyone,
I hope this cold weather is treating everyone okay. November has been one busy month for me. Council and I had our phone conference this month. We finished up the last plans for state conference and talked about Farm Show. On November 7th I had the chance to attend a Harvest Party of the Ag people. The Southeastern PA AG Business Association was generous enough to give 4-H money and I was the representative. I was also able to attend Lycoming County’s 4-H Can Skate. I was able to help hand out the awards to the members and enjoy a night of skating. At this event I gave Lycoming County Council a certificate of appreciation and I gave Ev Simmons a little gift of thanks for helping me through the year. I have been busy collecting pop tabs and studying my lines for conference. I hope you all are excited for State Leadership Conference as my fellow council members and I are.
Till next time,
Justine Bush
V.P of Operations
I hope this cold weather is treating everyone okay. November has been one busy month for me. Council and I had our phone conference this month. We finished up the last plans for state conference and talked about Farm Show. On November 7th I had the chance to attend a Harvest Party of the Ag people. The Southeastern PA AG Business Association was generous enough to give 4-H money and I was the representative. I was also able to attend Lycoming County’s 4-H Can Skate. I was able to help hand out the awards to the members and enjoy a night of skating. At this event I gave Lycoming County Council a certificate of appreciation and I gave Ev Simmons a little gift of thanks for helping me through the year. I have been busy collecting pop tabs and studying my lines for conference. I hope you all are excited for State Leadership Conference as my fellow council members and I are.
Till next time,
Justine Bush
V.P of Operations
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