Collegiate Times

ALL STARS

A soothing flute melody played in the Bowman Room of the Merryman Athletic Center as a crowd of families from across Virginia waited for the beginning of a ceremony with almost 90 years of history.

As two presenters sang an anthem, dozens of teenagers took their places and waited to be escorted to the front of the room by volunteers dressed in white.

The teenagers were admitted as Virginia 4-H All Stars, a service organization and the highest honor for a Virginia 4-H member.

The All Stars Tapping was one of several events organized at the 89th annual 4-H State Congress held at Virginia Tech's campus from June 15 through June 18.

Adapting to the week's consistently rainy weather, adult volunteer leaders and teenagers active in 4-H came from all across the commonwealth to participate in workshops, competitions and social activities.

"The main purpose of this event is to get youth from around the Commonwealth in one place, so they can mix and mingle, meet other youth who have similar interests and hopefully develop some long-lasting bonds that will carry them into their future," said Brad Copenhaver, a Tech sophomore majoring in agricultural and applied economics and the standing president of 4-H State Congress.

4-H is a youth organization administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Established nationally in 1914, its goal is to instill "hands-on" experiential lessons in children and teenagers centered on citizenship, leadership, and life skills.

Today's generation of 4-H participants also focus on science, engineering and technology programs.

Its emblem, the 4-H clover, represents the four traits that 4-H sets out to develop in its pledge: the head, the heart, the hands, and health.

This year marks the 89th time that the Virginia 4-H State Congress has come to Tech's campus.

The delegates, a group of almost 500 4-H teens aged 14 to 19, arrived to work on several competitive and non-competitive projects.

The activities are focused on the 4-H curriculum, which includes animal science, natural resources and environmental education, communications and expressive arts, and science, engineering and technology.

During their stay, male delegates spent the night in Pritchard Hall while girls were housed in Slusher Wing. Meals were served at D2 each day.

The congress opened with a presentation featuring former Baltimore Ravens player Michael Collins and the Power Team, an Evangelical Christian group of motivational athletes and performers.

Throughout the week, delegates participated in a variety of activities, including competitive games, dances, a variety show and instructional workshops, some led by Tech faculty from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The Congress closes Thursday with a speech by Rayna DuBose, former Tech basketball player and motivational speaker.

DuBose will speak on her experience with meningococcal meningitis, which cut her basketball career short, but began her life as a motivator to young people. She graduated from Tech in 2007 with a degree in consumer studies.

While the schedule called for several events outdoors, 4-H delegates and volunteers had to deal with the streak of rain showers in the Blacksburg area for most of the week.

Many events were moved indoors, including the All Stars Tapping.

Past President of State Congress Brandon Pierce said the indoor locations were reserved in anticipation of such weather.

"I'm totally proud of these delegates and how they carry themselves," Pierce, also a Tech sophomore in agricultural and applied economics, said.

Pierce said the delegates admirably handled the challenges thrown at them this week.

"We've been going through a lot with the weather and that can cause frustration at times, but everyone has composed themselves," Pierce said. "Each year we have a great group of teens, but this is the best group I've ever seen."

4-H is expected to return to Tech next summer for its 90th annual State Congress.

Tech students interested in getting involved or continuing their 4-H experience can visit the Collegiate 4-H at Virginia Tech's Web site at www.4hcollegiate.org.vt.edu/.