Rick Bogren
With a theme of All Roads Lead to 4-H U, nearly 1,250 4-H’ers from across the state won educational trips, participated in educational programs and selected new officers for the 2019-20 school year during 4-H University.
The 105th annual event was held on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge on June 18-20. 4-H University consists of 42 competitive contests and 10 Clover College tracks. In addition, 4-H’ers elected elect new state officers and regional representatives for the state 4-H executive board and select national conference delegates and members of six state leadership boards.
In the competitive contests, youth contended for educational trips and vied for the right to represent Louisiana 4-H in several national competitions or win cash prizes.
“For many 4-H members, 4-H University is the highlight of their year,” said Janet Fox, LSU AgCenter 4-H department head. “Some have been preparing for their contests all year, and others look forward to components like Clover College and other educational programs.”
4-H University also allows the participants to experience what life is like on a major college campus. They stay in dormitories during the event, and the contests and programs are held across the LSU campus, exposing 4-H members to a college-like experience.
“Some of our participants come from rural areas and attend small schools. 4-H U gives them a taste of the college atmosphere, and hopefully, they will find it less intimidating if they go off to college someday,” Fox said.
About 250 4-H’ers attended Clover College, a selection of seven-hour programs that are non-competitive and focus on education and exposing young people to campus life. Sessions included forensics, graphic design, horsemanship, learning about opportunities in the LSU College of Agriculture and lessons regarding the basics of video production.
State 4-H president, vice president, secretary, historian/reporter and parliamentarian were elected during the week. Tay Moore, of Bienville Parish, was elected president, and Justin Boudreaux, of St. Martin Parish, will serve as vice president.
Bridget Seghers, of St. Tammany Parish, was elected secretary; John-Garrett Patrick, of Concordia Parish, was elected historian/reporter; and Jaderic Talbert, of Bienville Parish, was chosen as parliamentarian.
Members were also designated to serve on the boards for citizenship, fashion, food and fitness, performing arts, shooting sports, and science, engineering and technology (SET).
Delegates to represent Louisiana 4-H at the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., in spring 2020 were also selected during 4-H U.
Representatives were chosen from five geographical regions to serve as liaisons between the state executive board and their respective regions and help in the planning and staging of regional and state 4-H events.
Contest winners were:
4-H Has Talent: Eugenia Williams, St. Landry Parish.
Agriculture Demonstration: Caleb Boenig and Brett King, Cameron Parish.
ATV: Austin Arceneaux, Ascension Parish.
Automotive: Zack Zeringue, Ascension Parish.
Automotive (Team): Matthew Abshire and Zack Zeringue, Ascension Parish.
Career Preparation Interview: Katherine “Katie” Anderson, Natchitoches Parish.
Child Development: Katie Charpentier, Terrebonne Parish.
Compact Tractor: Joey Zeringue, Ascension Parish.
Computer Simulation: Laurel Chiasson and Jillian Galiano, Lafourche Parish.
Consumer Decision Making: Laurel Chiasson and Jillian Galiano, Lafourche Parish.
Consumer Food Judging: Terra Bardarson, Austin Cunningham and Mckaylee Parfait, Terrebonne Parish.
Dairy Judging: Jessie Rivoire, Lafayette Parish.
Dairy Judging (Team): Cali Albarado, Miguel Cruz and Jessie Rivoire, Lafayette Parish.
Diesel Operations: Kam Noble, West Feliciana Parish.
Dog and Cat Science: Alden Sonnier, Avoyelles Parish.
Entomology Demonstration: Claire Guidry and Brooke Ledoux, Vermilion Parish.
Environmental Conservation Illustrated Talk: Emily Fontenot, Lafayette Parish
Fashion Revue — Casual: Jon Elise Sturgeon, West Feliciana Parish.
Fashion Revue — Creative Choice: Alicia Perret, St. James Parish.
Fashion Revue — Ready-to-Wear: Katelyn Bedwell, Vermilion Parish.
Family and Consumer Sciences Demonstration: Hannah Roquemore and Allison Webber, Natchitoches Parish.
Fishing Sports: Seth Montgomery, Lafourche Parish.
Fishing Sports (Team): Riley Albert, Seth Montgomery and Miles Smith, Lafourche Parish.
Forestry: Ethan Coker, Claiborne Parish.
Horticulture Demonstration-General: Rachel Smart Calcasieu Parish.
Horticulture Demonstration-Use: Cady Brown and Madison Dauzat, Avoyelles Parish.
Horticulture Judging: Hannah Parker, LaSalle Parish.
Horticulture Judging (Team): Lora Elliott, Dakoda Fausphoul and Hannah Parker, LaSalle Parish.
Insect Identification: Isaac Primeaux, Vermilion Parish.
Livestock Judging: Seth Manuel, St. Landry Parish.
Livestock Judging (Team): Megan Davidson, Madison Guillory and Seth Manuel, St. Landry Parish.
Louisiana Agronomic Crop Illustrated Talk: John-Michael Shiner, Vermilion Parish.
Meat Identification: Cooper Johnson, Natchitoches Parish.
Meat Identification (Team): Justin Boudreaux, Ali Fontenot and Alex Meche, St. Martin Parish.
Outdoor Skills: Jacob Lawrence White, Lincoln Parish.
Outdoor Skills (Team): Caleb Arnould, Benjamin Romero and Dylan Trahan, Vermilion Parish.
Personal Training: Gavyn Stevens, Iberia Parish.
Photography: Kallie Pitre, Allen Parish.
Plant Science: Garrett Gauthier, Avoyelles Parish.
Plant Science (Team): Benjamin Coco, Coralie Deloach and Garrett Gauthier, Avoyelles Parish.
Poultry Judging: Kennedy Pellerin, Lafayette Parish.
Poultry Judging (Team): Kennedy Pellerin, Emily Prior and Kayden Smith, Lafayette Parish.
Public Speaking (Any Subject): Taylor James, Vernon Parish.
Public Speaking (Cooperative): Madeline Hagan, Vernon Parish.
Solutions Unlimited: Julia Lavergne and Rebekah Pesson, Tangipahoa Parish.
Sports Broadcasting: Holtz Helms and Daniel Wiggins, Natchitoches Parish.
Teens Driving Teens to Safety: Lindsey Duhon and Abigail Lopez, Vermilion Parish.
The Louisiana Chef: Aubrie Duhon and Audreanna Richard, Cameron Parish.
The Next 4-H Food Star: Olivia Hardy, Samya Harlaux and Ali Langlois, Pointe Coupee Parish.
Tiger Tank Entrepreneurship Challenge: Sarah Hammonds, Bossier Parish.
Wildlife Habitat Judging: Dara Paige Hafer, Calcasieu Parish.