TENNESSEE 4-H IDEAS
VOLUME 08 - Issue 17
April 25, 2008

Coffee County LifeSmarts Team Returns from Minnesota
Madison County 4-H’ers Rewarded with Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Trip
MetLife Awards for Excellence
Warren County Welcomes 17 New Honor Club Members

COFFEE COUNTY LIFESMARTS TEAM RETURNS FROM MINNESOTA

The Coffee County LifeSmarts team placed fifth in the 2008 national LifeSmarts competition. Team members included Ashlee Duncan (captain), Jordan Kelly, Sarah Russell, Lauren Calderwood, and Taylor Calderwood. The team was coached by Coffee County 4-H agent Michelle Matthews.

The competition was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 12-15. While in Minnesota, the team visited the Mall of America and enjoyed visiting the shops of downtown Minneapolis.

The first step off the plane when arriving in Minnesota was a shocking one. The temperature was much cooler; the wind was fierce; and snow was on the ground. By Tuesday, the snow had melted and the temperature was comparable to Tennessee.

For placing fifth in the competition, each team member won a $50 savings bond, a large Hershey’s kiss, a tote bag from American Express and a gift of choice from Ribbon Sweet.

Michelle Matthews
Extension Agent
Coffee County
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MADISON COUNTY 4-H’ERS REWARDED WITH GATLINBURG/PIGEON FORGE TRIP

Each year Madison County 4-H’ers are receive a trip to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area as a reward for completing a project portfolio for regional or state competition. An additional requirement for participating in the trip is working a minimum of 10 hours in the Chicken Shack, their annual fund-raiser at the West Tennessee Fair.

The group usually spends four to five days in a chalet allowing them to connect with each other since they come from different schools around the county. Activities included the Dixie Stampede, Fiddlers Feast, shopping, gocart racing, game rooms and touring Cherokee, North Carolina. The group bonded and had lots of fun while at the chalet. They were retreated to hamburger and hot dog cook-outs, watched movies, played pool and enjoyed time in the hot tub.

On the way home, the group stopped at the University of Tennessee and participated in a portfolio workshop conducted by Steve Sutton, Extension specialist. They enjoyed lunch at the Macaroni Grill before continuing on to Jackson.

Sharon Tubbs
Extension Agent
Madison County
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METLIFE AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

National 4-H Council, in collaboration with the MetLife Foundation, is extending the opportunity for county 4-H programs to apply for the 2008 MetLife Awards of Excellence! The Awards of Excellence are four (4) $1,500 cash awards to 4-H programs that exhibit excellence in citizenship programming in an Afterschool/out-of-school environment. For those of you who may be interested in pursuing this opportunity, please visit www.fourhcouncil.edu/MLAwardsofExcellence.aspx.

Alice Ann Moore
Director
4-H Youth Development
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WARREN COUNTY WELCOMES 17 NEW HONOR CLUB MEMBERS

Warren County had 17 Honor Club applications approved in April. Congratulations to 4-H agents Jamie Harris and Michael Barry on making opportunities available that would enable such a large number of applicants to be accepted.

Remember Honor Club is a recognition program. Honor Club recognizes members for participation in educational opportunities; membership does not involve winning any kind of competition. Members receive points on the application form just for participating. Any 4-H’er meeting a minimum number of points can achieve Honor Club recognition. An active Honor Club is an indication of a quality teen program.

Steve Sutton
Extension Specialist
4-H Youth Development
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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker!
~ Author Unknown