News Release Distributed 06/20/14

BATON ROUGE, La.--Students participating in 4-H spent a week (June 17-20) on the LSU campus competing in contests, learning about careers and electing officers for the 2014-15 school year. The events were a part of the 100th annual 4-H University, which brings students from across the state with the opportunity to win scholarships, educational trips and other prizes.

Nearly 1,500 4-H’ers converged on the campus for the four-day event representing all 64 parishes. “We have both competitive and noncompetitive programs, so there is no shortage of opportunities for the students. The event also allows them to see what life is like on a college campus that for many is a first-time experience,” said Mark Tassin, LSU AgCenter program leader for youth and family development.

A total of 41 competitive contests were held, including competition in areas such as fashion design, horticulture and photography. Winners received trips to place such as Washington, D.C., and Atlanta or the opportunity to represent Louisiana in national contests held in locations across the country.

“For some of the participants this is the culmination of months of preparation. They have been working with their agents and 4-H volunteers, honing their skills for their contests. It is competitive for both the participants and their agents and volunteers who spent a great deal of time prepping,” Tassin said.

Clover College is the noncompetitive track that centers on career exploration in areas such as forensics, video production and health care. More than 200 students enrolled in the 12 tracks that were offered.

The small-group settings allowed 4-H’ers to develop a final project or product, giving them a better insight as to what skills are needed and what tasks are performed in those fields.

The 4-H’ers elected state officers for the positions of president, vice president, secretary, historian/reporter and parliamentarian. Peyton Arthur, of Vernon Parish, was elected president. Josey Hemperly, of Natchitoches Parish, was elected vice-president.

Coy Bailey, of Vernon Parish, was chosen as secretary. Ashlyn Tullis, of Caddo Parish, was elected historian/reporter, and Kadan Guillory, of Allen Parish, won the parliamentarian position.

Also, members were chosen to serve on the fashion, food and fitness, citizenship, shooting sports ambassadors, performing arts, and science, engineering and technology (SET) boards.

National 4-H Conference delegates and regional representatives were also picked. The national delegates will represent Louisiana at the 4-H National Conference in Washington, D.C., in spring 2015. Regional representative will serve as liaison between the state board and their respective regions and help plan regional and state events.

Contest winners were:

4-H Has Talent: Taylor Goss, Calcasieu Parish.

Agriculture Demo: Bryce Conner and Catherine Cole Daniels, Calcasieu Parish.

ATV: Jessica Stewart, Ascension Parish.

Automotive: Reid Scott, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Automotive (Team): Reid Scott and Wade Steib, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Career Preparation Interview: Austin Gaspard, Vermilion Parish.

Child Development: Hannah Landry, St. Martin Parish.

Compact Tractor: Blaise Duhe, St. James Parish.

Computer Simulation: Dante Saracino and Brooke Smith, St. Landry Parish.

Consumer Decision Making: Peyton Arthur and Tyler Remedies, Vernon Parish.

Consumer Food Judging: Zoria Findley, Aubrey Simmons and Jamillia White, Lincoln Parish.

Dairy Judging: Dylan Hebert, Vermilion Parish.

Dairy Judging (Team): Dylan Hebert, Shelby Lemaire and Abby Miller, Vermilion Parish.

Diesel Operations: Jacob Zaunbrecher, Acadia Parish.

Dog Science: Averi Young, West Feliciana Parish.

Entomology Demonstration: Annamarie Broussard and Cailyn Simon, Vermilion Parish.

Environmental Conservation Illustrated Talk: Katie Magar, Iberia Parish.

Environmental Threat: Alexia LaGrone and Arden LaGrone, Lafayette Parish.

Fashion Review-Casual: Mallory Russell, Ouachita Parish.

Fashion Review-Creative Choice: Taylor Roberts, Natchitoches Parish.

Fashion Review-Designer’s Choice: Mattie Bollich, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Fashion Review-Ready-to-Wear: Maddie Babineaux, St. Martin Parish.

Family and Consumer Sciences Demonstration: Kelsey Trahan and Olivia Trahan, Vermilion Parish.

Fishing Sports: Gaven Guidry, Terrebonne Parish.

Fishing Sports (Team): Nathaniel Davis, Gaven Guidry and Austin Triche, Terrebonne Parish.

Forestry: Holly Hargis, Avoyelles Parish.

Horticulture Demonstration-General: Marcus Broussard and Ty Zaunbrecher, Vermilion Parish.

Horticulture Demonstration-Use: Kenzie Gaspard and Sydnee Gaspard, Vermilion Parish.

Horticulture Judging: Alexander Hargrave, Vermilion Parish.

Horticulture Judging (Team): Samuel Dailey, Alexander Hargrave and Clay Zaunbrecher, Vermilion Parish.

Insect Identification: Elizabeth Hall, Rapides Parish.

Meat Identification: Sarah Lyons, Lafayette Parish.

Meat Identification (Team): Molli Guilbeau, Sarah Lyons and Cori Thibodeaux, Lafayette Parish.

Outdoor Skills: Brad Petras, St. Tammany Parish.

Outdoor Skills (Team): Will Busby, Harold Mizell and Brad Petras, St. Tammany Parish.

Photography: Madeline LeBlanc, Iberville Parish.

Plant Science: Reed Smith, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Plant Science (Team): Ian Landry, Boyd Smith and Reed Smith, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Poultry Judging: Jonathon Boudreaux, St. Martin Parish.

Poultry Judging (Team): Katelyn Bellelo, Peyton Higginbotham and TaMyra Ransom, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Public Speaking (Any Subject): Josie Joilibois, East Baton Rouge Parish.

Public Speaking (Cooperative): Devin Garrett Wicke, Calcasieu Parish.

Solutions Unlimited: Remy Lodrigues, Victoria Rocquin and Brandi Sieber, St. James Parish.

Soybean Illustrated Talk: Bret Lee, Vermilion Parish.

Sports Broadcasting: Ty Guillote and Jon Segura, Iberia Parish.

Teens Driving Teens to Safety: Kelsee’ Thibeaux and Sophie Vincent, Vermilion Parish.

The Louisiana Chef: Adam Gaspard and Caroline Guidry, Vermilion Parish.

The Next 4-H Food Star: Britney Broussard, Victoria Frederick and Anne Catherine Leblanc, Vermilion Parish.

Wildlife Habitat Judging: Carl Stirling, St. Mary Parish.