I love my job in 4-H, but I must admit to reading stories of the Zoo Atlanta employee accompanying Atlanta’s panda to China and thinking, "Wow, I wonder how she got that job?"

Imagine my surprise to learn that she started out much the same way I did — in Newton County 4-H.

Heather Roberts, or Heather Baker as she’d have been in 4-H, connected with a local veterinarian through her 4-H agent and got the chance to experience veterinary care as a young 4-H’er for her project.

After hearing a current 7th grade 4-H’er report on her experiences in that same veterinary office this past year, I know it would have permanently scared me out of that entire line of work.

However, I see how much it has inspired the current 4-H’er to learn even more about being a veterinarian in her pursuit to win her project and become a veterinarian one day.

I suppose it must have had much the same effect on Roberts, as she went on to a related field and now works at Zoo Atlanta.

She has been there from the day Mei Lan was born, and this week is in China helping her adjust to her new home.

Each day in 4-H, youth are practicing leadership, serving the community, and exploring their world hands-on.

In another 25 years, which of today’s 4-H’ers might we see on Good Morning America and think, "Wow, I wonder how she started on this path?"

One way 4-H’ers are exploring their interests is through the Newton County 4-H Horse Club, led by volunteer leader Martha Worley.

While many people seem to believe a horse club only rides horses and competes in shows, this is a much more diverse and dedicated group of youth and adults.

Many of the 4-H’ers do compete in shows, take riding lessons, and represent Newton County at the state 4-H horse show, but that’s just one small part of the club.

Each January, teams of Junior and Senior 4-H’ers compete in the 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl at Rock Eagle.

The Junior team, made up of Allison Fish, Cousins Middle; Trent Fowler, private school; Lindsay Frost, home school; and Noelle Holder, Indian Creek Middle; claimed the state title.

They were coached by volunteer leader and 4-H alum Travis Fowler.

Senior 4-H’ers competing were Emily Fish, Rebecca Johnston, Samantha Longbottom, Blakely Smith, Jessica Tabb, Elizabeth Velandia, Jennifer Velandia and Morgan Worley. Volunteer leader coaches were Jessica Wyatt and Leah Shapiro.

The teams practice for months on end to learn even the tiniest details of horse anatomy, reproduction and veterinary care.

Not only must they retain the knowledge, but they must be quick on the draw, hitting the buzzer before the other team.

Pretty soon, the club will begin practices for horse judging and hippology.

In horse judging, the 4-H’ers place classes of horses into order based on their strengths and weaknesses.

The biggest challenge, however, may be in reasons.

As they evaluate each class of horses, the 4-H’ers must take detailed notes on each animal, including specific and scientific terminology.

They use these notes to prepare individually reasons, and must move fast in order to memorize as much as possible.

The highest points are given to those 4-H’ers who can present accurate, organized and detailed reasons confidently and without notes to the judges.

While spending time riding and learning about horses, the club will also work with local children with special needs as they prepare for the Special Olympics equestrian events.

When I interviewed club member Morgan Worley for 4-H week back in the fall, she said she expects to keep horses as a hobby instead of a job so that she’ll always love it this much.

However, I can’t help but look at another 4-H alum in China today and wonder, how might horses, science, and public speaking lead this 4-H’er to her future?