Teton County 4-H Members Learn by Doing

It’s Official!  The Teton County 4-H members who presented at the Communications Contest on Saturday, March 18, were Polished, right on Target, and smooth as Butter.  They rocked, rolled and followed traditions. Montana 4-H Foundation Executive Director Jane Wolery filed this report:

The morning started with Cloverbud, Trigg Killorn who addressed a crowd of about 35 people teaching them about rocks and Polishing Patience.  He told the process of collecting and polishing rocks and shared some of his favorite polished rocks.  He knew about many types of rocks including thunder rocks and geodes. 

Next up was pre-junior, Natalie DeBruycker, whose presentation also included science, as she concocted slime with items including glue, shaving cream, baking soda, and contact solution.  She had the crowd laughing as she cautioned them that the experiment can go awry if you get the slime into the carpet!  She said, “It doesn't make your mom very happy.” 

In the junior category, the team of Addi Christensen and Natalie Hodgskiss took the court and explained some basics of volleyball, followed by a good lesson of what the calls are that the officials make during the game.  The fans were all set to watch the next volleyball match. 

Churning out another interesting demonstration, Annika Konen showed the basics of making butter.  She involved the audience by having them pass around a jar of cream to shake while she used a paddle churn to make butter.  She separated the buttermilk from the butter, rinsed, salted, and shaped the butter. 

Nolan DeBruycker rounded out the junior division and was right on target with his presentation on how to shoot in the prone position.  Nolan participates in the 4-H shooting sports program and has competed in regional and state contests.  He started his presentation explaining the safety precautions he was taking and that his firearm had been checked and cleared for safety by a certified 4-H shooting sports instructor. The audience learned about the process of preparing to shoot in prone position for competition. The audience shot several questions to Nolan following the presentation, showing their interest in this popular 4-H project. 

As a senior participant, Ayden DeBruycker got the crowd “In the Mood” as she danced them back in time to the Glenn Miller tune.  She gave a Salute to the Women’s Army Corp Cooks, sharing details found in her great-grandmother’s cookbook from the time when she served in World War II.  Not only did she share tips, tricks, and techniques from that time, but also explained how war-time scarcity brought about new foods such as margarine and Velveeta.  She shared about rationing and resourcefulness, in the kitchen and beyond, during the 1940s.   

All participants received feedback from the judging panel of Jake Duty, Stewart Merja, and Shirley Rutrough.   

Annika Konen and Ayden DeBruycker were awarded grand champion placings.  Ayden, as well as blue ribbon winners, Addi Christensen and Natalie Hodgskiss, qualify to compete at the state level this summer. (Montana 4-H Congress is open to 4-H members who are 13 years of age and older and earn a blue rating in their county’s competitions.)  

The 4-H Communications Committee chairperson Heidi Konen planned the event with Teton County MSU Extension agent, Jenn Swanson, and administrative assistants, JoAnn McDowell and Jamie Smith. A special appreciation to the Choteau Baptist Church for the gracious sharing of their facility and to Mari Shore who handled the meal. Following the presentations and learning together, the 4-H members and audience were treated to lunch.  

The 4-H members really rocked the house with the presentations they cooked up.  They hit the mark of learning about a topic, deciding how to package and present that information to others in a professional manner. 

To learn more about 4-H activities in your town, contact MSU Extension Service agent in your county.