News Release Distributed 05/24/13
BATON ROUGE, La. – This year will mark the 99th time 4-H Club members will compete in a variety of contests and hold elections for statewide officers on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.
The event, known as 4-H University, will bring more than 1,600 4-H Club members, volunteers and agents to campus June 18-20.
The 4-H’ers will compete in 41 contests, participate in 10 Clover College tracks or take part in 15 educational programs.
Contest winners will receive scholarships, educational trips to Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Ga., or other cities and U.S. savings bonds. Some winners will advance to national competitions held at various locations across the country.
Contests held during the event cover a wide range of subjects, including photography, fashions and outdoor skills. Clover College tracks include I’ve Got the Music in Me, Living Your Financial Experience and Project Runway.
“There truly is something that will be of interest to every participant,” said Mark Tassin, head of the LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth and Family Development program.
“One of our goals is to provide opportunities for learning through project participation and achievement,” Tassin said. “We are also able to do it in a safe and inclusive environment that allows students to experience life on a college campus.”
AgCenter Chancellor Bill Richardson is a proponent of having the event on campus. “This is an opportunity for them to explore the campus, talk to students and faculty, visit departments and find out about possible career choices,” Richardson said.
Speeches from president and vice president candidates will take place June 18 with run-off elections June 19. Results of the elections will be announced June 20 along with contest winners.
4-H agents across the state are coaching 4-H’ers in preparation for the contests. For some of the club members, the competition represents nearly a year of preparation and is a highlight of their 4-H career.
Craig Gautreaux