TENNESSEE 4-H IDEAS

VOLUME 04 - Issue 39
October 1, 2004

Activity And Supplemental Sheets Available
Madison County 4-H’er Selected To Youth Leadership Team
Targeting Positive Youth Development: Ethical Decision-Making
Tennessee 4-H’ers Take Honors At Mid-South Fair
“Top 10 By 2010” Campaign For Tennessee Public School Libraries

ACTIVITY AND SUPPLEMENTAL SHEETS AVAILABLE

Two beginning level activity sheets and one intermediate level supplemental sheet are now available on the 4-H Web site. The pages were developed by Justin Crowe (consumer education), Kathy Finley (environmental science/conservation) and Patrick Hamilton (leadership: parliamentary procedure), in conjunction with specialists, the state 4-H staff and Marketing and Communications Services.

Visit the projects page (www.utextension.utk.edu/4h/projects/index.htm) and click on the project names or follow the direct links below to access the pages.

All available activity and supplemental sheets are available at www.utextension.utk.edu/4H/projects/actsheets.htm.

Lori Jean Mantooth
Extension Assistant, 4-H
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MADISON COUNTY 4-H’ER SELECTED TO YOUTH LEADERSHIP TEAM

Matthew McBride from Madison County has been selected to the 2004 National 4-H Congress Youth Leadership Team. Matthew was chosen from candidates from across the United States based on an application and video tape reflecting his citizenship, leadership and speaking skills. Matthew will be serving in a key leadership role during the Congress in Atlanta.

Matthew is attending National 4-H Congress as Tennessee’s state winner in the sheep project. He served as the 2003 State 4-H Congress governor and is a senior at Liberty Technology Magnet High School in Jackson.

We congratulate Matthew on his selection and know Tennessee will be well represented.

Steve Sutton
Extension Specialist, 4-H
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TARGETING POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

Exploring the Life Skill of Ethical Decision-Making
Decision-making is an integral part of everyday life. A key developmental milestone for adolescents is the ability to make rational decisions. With decisions come consequences. Often it is difficult for an adult to know the probable result, yet allow a 4-H’er the autonomy to make a choice or decision that may have negative consequences. The life lesson that will be learned as a result of that decision is often worth the risk as long as it does not lead to extreme emotional or physical harm. To address the indicators of decision-making, a concentrated effort needs to be made to review the steps and influencing factors in making a decision. In Tennessee 4-H, judging teams, skill-a-thon, LifeSmarts and other related educational programs clearly focus on the skill of decision-making.

Decision-making and County 4-H Programs
As 4-H youth mature they should be demonstrating increased abilities to make rational decisions. Decisions made by youth in settings away from home are not always the best ones. You may have to help youth process the steps they used to make a decision and the consequences they might expect as a result of that decision. Teens in leadership roles will relish the opportunity and responsibility for decision-making. It may take longer than making all of the decisions yourself, but the life skill gained is worth the extra effort required.

Jill Martz
Extension Specialist, 4-H
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TENNESSEE 4-H’ERS TAKE HONORS AT MID-SOUTH FAIR

Tennessee 4-H members did quite well in competition at the Mid-South Fair this year, bringing home more than $1300 in prize money. Tennessee fielded contestants in the 4-H Career Pursuit, Agribusiness/4-H Public Speaking Contest, and 4-H Poster Art Contest. Results are as follows:

Others competing at the Mid-South Fair included Amanda Gatlin, Hardeman County (4-H Career Pursuit); Julianna Robbins, Lawrence County (Agribusiness/4-H Public Speaking Contest); John Laughery, Carroll County (Agribusiness/4-H Public Speaking Contest); Evan Betterton, Putnam County (Agribusiness/4-H Public Speaking Contest); Nancy-Ann Hill, Rutherford County, (Agribusiness/4-H Public Speaking Contest); Enoch Weaver, Shelby County (Agribusiness/4-H Public Speaking Contest); Christie Sanders, Franklin County (4-H Poster Art Contest); Nicole Brown Montgomery County (4-H Poster Art Contest); Macy Allison, Obion County (4-H Poster Art Contest); Stewart Rich, Pickett County (4-H Poster Art Contest); Amy Thompson, Robertson County, (4-H Poster Art Contest); and Paige Swaffer, Trousdale County (4-H Poster Art Contest).

Congratulations to all our contestants and thanks to their 4-H agents for making them aware of these opportunities.

Steve Sutton
Extension Specialist, 4-H
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“TOP 10 BY 2010” CAMPAIGN FOR TENNESSEE PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Currently, there is a statewide book drive in Tennessee called “Top 10 by 2010.” The purpose of the drive is to place Tennessee’s public school libraries in the top 10% nationwide by 2010. The program is being piloted in the major metropolitan areas of Tennessee this year and will move statewide next year. Barnes & Noble bookstores have joined in the campaign and are making special donations, among many things. You can go to a Barnes & Noble and purchase a book for one of your local public schools. Barnes & Noble has the wish list for each public school in its area. This is an excellent opportunity for 4-H’ers to give back to their own schools. Make plans to help out now or early next year.

Nathan T. Myers
UT’s Promise Coordinator
AmeriCorps Promise Fellow
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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want.
~ Oscar Wilde