This week of October 2-8, 2022, is National 4-H Week, and we celebrate our local 4-H members.  This year’s theme is “Opportunity 4All.”

Tattnall can indeed be proud of its 4-H members and their zeal for public service in a variety of areas.  These students are energetic, progressive, inquisitive, and passionate about their commitment to this organization. This week’s edition includes its Taste of Tattnall feature on Ariel Cruz, one of several 4-H members who are making an impact with their leadership opportunities.

Four-H is a character-building organization in which these students become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society. Four-H helps these teens establish personal and sincere relationships, learning life skills and leadership tips while enhancing community awareness.

Since they are required to make presentations in their District Project Achievement (DPA) competitions, these 4-H members learn valuable skills in research and public speaking that will benefit them their entire lifetimes. Organizational skills in preparing for their presentations and managing their time are yet other pluses that they can carry with them throughout life.

These 4-H members learn how to write a script for their presentations and to prepare the visual aids that enhance their presentations. Many of our Tattnall 4-H’ers who have graduated attest to the fact that 4-H is a training ground for adulthood and gives a boost into further community service.  Participation in 4-H shapes the lives of these students in positive ways that keep on proving helpful to them throughout their lives.

Whereas once 4-H was thought of as just an ag and home economics organization, it is so much more, offering an abundance of opportunities.  The project areas are diverse and are in keeping with today’s technology.  For instance, Ariel Cruz’s project and presentation, “Make the Change...Find Your Next Job Online,” is just one example.  With the addition of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), more horizons have opened for these teens who are already tech savvy.

Tattnall is blessed with an exceptionally dedicated staff, who are leaders and mentors to these 4-H members. These include Rachel Stewart, Family and Consumer Sciences, County Extension Coordinator; Aubrey Shirley and Derrick Bowen, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents; Rebekah Greene, 4-H Agent (Youth); Bradley Moye, 4-H Educator; Taylor Hendrix, Ag and Natural Resources Intern; and Michelle Halter, County Administrative Assistant.

Of course, it is not all work and no play for these 4-H members.  They look forward to the exciting summer camps that are offered, which include the 4-H Centers at Rock Eagle, on Jekyll Island, Camp Burton on Tybee Island, and at Wahsega.  These camps are not only filled with fun activities but provide opportunities to make lifelong friendships with fellow 4-H’ers from all over Georgia.

Overall, 4-H is a simply superb learning, net-working, and character-building opportunity for young people.  At the same time, they are learning so many life skills, such as how to be responsible, organized, and contributing adults in the years ahead.  We salute these 4-H members, their staff, and a host of volunteer parents.  Many other businesses and individuals in Tattnall County salute them as well, as you will see in a salute page in this week’s edition.