Eighteen winners of this year’s Louisiana 4-H Educational Awards Trip were honored at an awards luncheon at the LSU Faculty Club on Nov. 22.

The winners were Elliot Bernard, Devine LeBlanc and Erin "E.J" Blanchard from St. Martin Parish; Marcus Broussard, Jessica Jarred and Connor Waits from Vermilion Parish; Kari Davis, Calcasieu Parish; Cathryn Ellis, Claiborne Parish; Nathan Hoffpauir, Dane Langley and Arden LaGrone from Lafayette Parish; Mallory Jennings, Lafourche Parish; Wyatt Manuel, Acadia Parish; Abbie McMillon, Caddo Parish; John Poe, Beauregard Parish; Hailey Rodrigue, Terrebonne Parish and Matthew Seguin, Livingston Parish.

This year’s adult leader award winner was Rochelle Orgeron of Lafourche Parish.

4-H is the youth development program of the LSU AgCenter.

LSU AgCenter instructor and event coordinator Tanya Giroir said the commitment and enthusiasm of these young people has a positive impact on their local communities.

“There were 48 young people who submitted portfolios of three projects they have focused on, along with their leadership and service records. Then, a panel of judges chose these winners from across the state,” Giroir said.

LSU AgCenter vice chancellor Paul Coreil told the winners that their service will be among the most important things they will do in life.

“As you celebrate the holidays, remember those who are less fortunate,” he said. “You can help your church or the local food bank to help others by volunteering or collecting can goods.”

Janet Fox, associate department head of 4-H Youth Development, told the group that individually each is one of 240,000 members of 4-H in the state.

Fox used the acronym LEAD to help the winners understand their purpose in life.

“L is for learn, E is for Example, A is for Appreciation, and D is for determination,” she said.

Fox told the 4-H’ers to learn as much as possible, be an example, show appreciation and be determined to fulfill goals.

“You are leaders now, and you will lead us in the future. And we appreciate so much what you do for us,” Fox said. “In 4-H and in life, you should learn as much as you can.”

Fox said she still uses today things she learned in 4-H, reminding them to take advantage of every opportunity.

“What you’ve learned this week, I hope you will share with your club members,” Coreil said. “You are representatives of the 4-H’ers in your region and your community.”

Coreil told the winners to not only enjoy the week but also to “go back and tell the other members what you learned so that the knowledge can be shared and multiplied among more people.”

As part of the three-day educational trip to south Louisiana, the 4-H’ers toured various sites including the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Arena, Café Reconcile and the World War II Museum in New Orleans, the Rural Life Museum and LSU Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge.

Sponsors for the educational trip include the LSU AgCenter, LSU Rural Life Museum, DEMCO, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Arena, Entergy of New Orleans, the LSU Athletic Department, the Louisiana 4-H Foundation and the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Youth Development Department.

Johnny Morgan