Colorado State 4-H Conference

The entire District VI delegation

By Lacey Mann, CSU 4-H Extension Agent, Bent & Prowers Counties

Southeast Area— District VI 4-H members invaded Colorado State University’s campus June 18 through 21 to participate and compete at the annual State 4-H Conference. The Southeast Area had over 22 youth, two adult leaders and two Extension agents leading the charge as 4-H members participated in leadership workshops, competed in quiz bowls, received awards and once again dominated the annual dodge ball tournament

District VI 4-H members competed in consumer choices, consumer bowl, livestock quiz bowl and livestock judging. There were two consumer judgers, one consumer team, three livestock quiz bowl teams and one livestock judger. The consumer choices contest was a first time event for Baca 4-H members Zane Jenkins and Ethan Hebberd. They placed first and fourth, respectively, in consumer placings and Jenkins was fifth overall in reasons. The consumer bowl team consisted of Tiana Garcia, Bent; Chad Russell, Crowley; Chelsea Lewis, Otero; Ashlyn Crossland and Kylee Holden, Prowers County. This team placed second overall after a single elimination bracket and this is up from third place in the 2012 contest.

“The consumer and livestock quiz bowl teams worked together throughout the spring to study practice questions and had a mock quiz bowl session. These members traveled from Crowley, Otero, Prowers and Bent to practice and their coach, Tanner Barth, former Prowers County 4-H member and now leader, worked with them through each practice and championed each team as they worked through the competitions on campus,” Lacey Mann, CSU Extension Southeast Area Agent said.

The three livestock bowl teams consisted of SEA 1 with Rhett Larsen, Otero; Tiana and Mitch Garcia, Bent; and Chad Russell, Crowley. SEA 2 had Rod Hall, Crowley; Makenzie Mayo, Otero; Blake Mueller, Otero; and Chelsea Lewis, Otero. SEA 3 held Prowers County members, Theresa Butler, Ryan Nordyke, Ashlyn Crossland and Kristina Alm.

The teams battled through a tough double elimination bracket with 13 teams and the SEA 1 team made it all the way to the championship round. They faced fierce competition from the Jefferson County team and came out as the 2013 reserve champions. “I am so proud of them for their commitment to practicing and working with a coach this year. They have qualified to compete at the National Western Round-Up Contest in January 2014. This contest is sponsored in part by our local Crop Risk Advisor group and I am even more excited that it will be our local kids representing Colorado this year,” Mann said.

SEA Livestock Quiz Bowl Reserve Champions: L-R, Rhett Larsen, Tiana Garcia, Chad Russell, Mitch Garcia and coach, Tanner Barth.

Outside of the contests, 4-H members participated in workshops to enhance their leadership, citizenship and community service practices and effectiveness. Workshops covered “Discovering the Leader Within,” “Use Your Heart: New Rules for Changing the World,” and Blur the Line.” All 4-H participants also had the chance to tour the CSU campus, veterinary medicine teaching hospital, equine center, ARDEC, and athletic facility.

State Conference concluded with the annual awards banquet recognizing all the scholarship recipients from across the state and awarded all the contestant awards. “It was another great year and the Southeast Area was front and center throughout the week in learning, competing and making new connections from across the state,” Mann said.

If your child is interested in joining 4-H or you would like further information on the 4-H program, please contact your local CSU Extension Office; Baca County 719-523-6971, Bent County 719-456-0764, Cheyenne County 719-767-5716, Crowley County 719-267-5243, Kiowa County 719-438-5321, Otero County 719-254-7608, Prowers County 719-336-7734. 4-H is a cooperative effort between CSU Extension and the County.

# # #