By: Pam Larson, Homecoming Chair
The third 4-H Homecoming celebration was held last Saturday April 20th in Georgetown, Kentucky. 4-H alumni, family and friends traveled from all over the Commonwealth and from all over the country, as far as Texas, to re-connect with their 4-H roots.
Memorabilia from as far back as the 1950’s decorated the room while old pictures flashed across the projection screen flooding back memories for the alumni. Friends shared and laughed about memories at camp, competitions and teen conference.
The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association provided a scrumptious meal of Rib-eye steak, green beans, baked potatoes and salad, with a delicious strawberry shortcake desert that was enjoyed by all.
The program began with pledges from our current state officers and opening remarks from Board Chairman, David Wallace. He welcomed everyone and highlighted about why Homecoming and getting the opportunity to re-connect is such an important part of being a 4-H alumni.
We got to then hear from Dr. Charlene Jacobs, Assistant Director 4-H Youth Development about what is happening in 4-H today. Charlene made a great point that 4-H isn’t just focused on agriculture and the traditional programs like it used to be. Kentucky 4-H has new and exciting programs such as Science, Engineering and Technology (SET), and shooting sports that are becoming very popular with the 4-H youth across the state. Nevertheless, leadership, citizenship and lifeskills remain the focus of the learn-by-doing experience in 4-H.
Ryan Halligan, State 4-H President, thanked the 4-H alumni and Foundation for all the support. Without the alumni’s and foundations support the youth of 4-H wouldn’t get the opportunities they are presented with today like traveling to National 4-H Conference or participating as a member of the State 4-H Teen Council.
Judge Chappell Wilson, past State 4-H President in 1956-57 really got the attention of the crowd by telling his personal 4-H story. He grew up on a farm in Trigg County and joined 4-H when he was very young. He told storiesand shared pictures of his first steer and his early cattle shows, his trips to National 4-H Conference and National 4-H Congress and the incredible leadership skills he gained from 4-H. He explained how grateful he was to have 4-H be a part of his life and how all of those experiences and skills led him to get a law degree from the University of Kentucky, become a district Judge, and a retired Colonelin the Army Reserves.
For entertainment, 4-H’er Michaela Rock from LaRue County sang two beautiful songs for the crowd as part of the first 4-H performing Arts Troupe. Michaela is a 3rd generation 4-H’er in her family; her grandma was able to attend the Homecoming to see her perform.
One of the highlights of every homecoming is “Who’s in the Crowd.” Gary Ellegood, State Vice President ,79-80, State President 80-81, helped us see who came the furthest, who had been in 4-H the longest and recognized the multi generations of 4-Hers in the crowd.
Executive director, Keith Rogers, spoke on behalf of the 4-H foundation. He educated the alumni about what the Foundation has been up to; from raising money through the Ag Tag program, to the achievement program, the 4-H camp campaign and the largeoutreach to alumni. The 4-H Foundation has had an incredibly busy year so far and they only hope to increase the funds that are raised for these programs and to increase the alumni we reach.
As this year’s Homecoming Chair, I had the opportunity to close us out by thanking everyone for coming. And as tradition everyone in attendance, sang Linger, a favorite song from 4-H camp and State Teen Council meetings.
We want to thank our sponsors for continuing their sponsorship of Homecoming for the past 3 years; The Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Central Kentucky Radiology PLLC, and Central Kentucky Ag Credit. Without our sponsors, this unforgettable Homecoming celebration wouldn’t be possible.
4-H Homecoming is a memorable event that brings together the past and the present and allows alumni to take a walk down memory lane and appreciate and be grateful for those years in 4-H, the experiences it gave them and the skills and life-long friends they took away from it. Watch for the announcement of plans for the 2014 Kentucky 4-H Homecoming in June. Will we see you next year!
