Did you know the blue tongued skink, a lizard found in Australia, gives birth to live young? Or that you can see one at Bear Hollow Zoo and Wildlife Trail in Athens?

I’ve heard Lavendar Harris’ 4-H demonstration on blue tongued skinks so many times this year that I almost felt like I could give a talk on the little critters.

Harris volunteers weekly at the Athens wildlife park, including caring for animals and giving programs to visitors, so she easily chose the Wildlife and Marine Sciences project earlier this year.

She turned in a portfolio of her project work, volunteer and service hours and leadership experience from 2015, then prepared the presentation for district competition. It was the first big competition for the then-high school freshman, who is a home school student.

She came in second place, only a single point behind the first place winner. However, so many 4-H’ers competed in the area that she also qualified for state competition.

Since March, Harris has practiced her demonstration and continued to do new research. She practiced for the Pilot Club of Covington, Dr. Leslie Lathem of Honey Creek Veterinary Hospital, and Roger Harrison of Harrison Creek Farm.
With each demonstration, she tried something new and received constructive feedback.

Each time I saw the demonstration, it was just a little different, and a few days before the competition she was in the office re-doing nearly every poster.

Wednesday morning, she practiced for me before going in front of the judges, and I couldn’t quite hide a few tears as I watched a young woman who has grown so much over the last year.

She certainly exemplifies the 4-H motto, “To Make the Best Better.”

Win or lose, we knew she’d gained knowledge and experience.

News From State 4-H Congress

At State 4-H Congress, most project areas only have 4 competitors, with one from each district. Because of high participation, Harris was in a field of seven.

Each completed an interview with the judges scoring portfolios, then presented their demonstrations. We learned all about wild hogs, right whales and lobsters, then eagerly awaited the results.

Even 20 years after my own turn in those seats, I still get just as nervous awaiting my 4-H’ers’ results. And it was well worth the wait: she placed 3rd over the entire state.

Not a bad way to wrap up the 4-H year and kick off 2016-2017. And Harris is already planning how to help her fellow club members make it to State 4-H Congress next year.

Newton County was also well represented throughout the week at State 4-H Congress.

Mrs. Arlene Woods and Mr. Art Hargrove joined the annual celebration of Georgia 4-H to present their family’s 4-H college scholarship that was named for their father, Art Hargrove.

PC Afterdark’s Jason Kimble travelled to the competition to judge the Science of Engineering and Technology project. Kimble completed projects in computers and small engines during his 4-H career in Newton County.

Newton County 4-H alum Jason Taylor, now working at the Atlanta Humane Society, was also at State Congress to interview 4-H’ers in several animal projects. Taylor mastered in the Environmental Science project while in Newton 4-H.

New Year Starting

Do you know a 4th through 12th grader who might enjoy 4-H? Our first county wide 4-H meeting is on Monday, August 8 at Oxford City Hall from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

All home, private and public school students are invited to join us at this meeting.

Give us a call at 770-784-2010 or email me at tkimble@uga.edu to find out more.