Four Texas 4-H teams take national honors at Western National Roundup in Denver
COLLEGE STATION – Four Texas 4-H teams took honors at the Western National Roundup held recently in Denver, Colorado, said Dr. Chris Boleman, state 4-H and youth development program director, College Station.
Teams receiving the honors were the Llano County National Champion Meats Judging Team, Runnels County National Champion Leaders 4 Life Team, Deaf Smith County Family and Consumer Sciences Presentation Team and Gillespie County Family and Consumer Sciences Bowl Team.
“These Texas teams placed first among participants in their respective contest areas and should be very proud of their accomplishment,” Boleman said. “Thousands of 4-H members from throughout the U.S. participated in the roundup, and these teams showed they were among the nation’s best in their skills and knowledge. In Texas, teams must take first place or place highly in state competition to qualify for national competition, and that was the case with these teams.”
The Llano County National Champion Meats Judging Team consisted of Juliana Ball, Kathryn Cunningham, David Forrister and David Meier.
The Runnels County National Champion Leaders 4 Life team consisted of Ethan Bredemeyer, Jennifer Castleberry, Alyssa Flanagan, Rachel Gibbs, Brylee Matschek and Hannah Pinkney.
“We here in the West Central District are so excited about the success of these youth at all levels,” said Garry Branham, AgriLife Extension district 4-H youth development specialist in San Angelo. “These young people commit countless hours to develop their skills, and both teams are a testament to the value of volunteers in a county 4-H program.
“The Llano County Meats Judging Team and the Runnels County Leaders 4 Life Team are coached by adult volunteers who are truly dedicated to the 4-H mission. Dedicated young people and caring volunteers are the recipe for success.”
Boleman said other roundup contests focused on consumer decision making, family and consumer science presentations, skills and knowledge, fashion, knowledge of horses and individual and team horse demonstration, public speaking, horse and livestock judging, knowledge of livestock, prepared and impromptu speaking and parliamentary procedure. The contests were held at various venues in and around Denver and Fort Collins.
Those who comprised the other winning Texas 4-H teams were Darren Schlabs and Cutter Smith of Deaf Smith County, and Amy Heimann, Elaine Lochte, Sean O’Leary and Dylan Sione of Gillespie County.
“This competition allows 4-H’ers from throughout the U.S. to compete on a national level,” Boleman said. “But it also helps them establish new friendships, build confidence, participate in social and educational programs, develop leadership and citizenship skills, and become familiar with careers in business, agriculture, science, industry, education and the arts.”
Boleman said this year’s Western National Roundup activities focused on the 4-H “mission mandate” of promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics, known collectively as STEM subjects, as well as healthy living and good citizenship.
“Individual and team excellence are rewarded at the Western Conference Roundup and leadership is developed through encouraging decision-making and teamwork, critical thinking and independence,” he said. “And healthy living is demonstrated at the workshops, dances and during the educational tours, which also provide service-learning and community-based learning opportunities.”
He said while these four Texas teams won national distinction, he was proud of all Western National Conference participants and felt 4-H members involved were able to hone their life skills and grow personally as a result of their participation.