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Is
it possible to change the world? You will be pleased to know that our
young people think that it is possible – and they think that they are
the ones who can do it.
Everything
we do in 4-H is based on university research. In 4-H, our young people
are committed to making the world a better place. It just so happens
that university research demonstrates the tremendous personal, economic
and social benefits from pledging our hands "to larger
service."
The
research shows that young people who serve others benefit themselves and
their communities. Young people who participate in service activities at
least one hour a week are half as likely to engage in risky behaviors
such as binge drinking, problem drug use and vandalism. The research
also shows that community service increases self-esteem and the sense of
personal worth.
Kids
who are involved in helping others learn to recognize how their actions
affect society; they have more positive attitudes toward adults; and
they learn empathy, to "walk in other people’s shoes."
Research also shows that young people who serve others learn to build
their problem-solving skills. As youth and as adults, studies show that
they will be more politically involved and more involved in their
community. They develop positive civic attitudes and an increased sense
of social responsibility.
It
is very easy to be self-centered in our society. That is why is always
heartening to see the passion with which Alabama young people commit
themselves to serving others. 4-H programs in every Alabama County and
every Alabama community have wonderful examples of how they are learning
to change the world.
I
think the ways that Alabama 4-Hers help in their communities are
powerful and original. In Tuscaloosa County they used "therapy
dogs" to comfort kids and elderly people who had been made refugees
by Hurricane Katrina. In Marion County, 4-Hers made "Hug
Boxes" for local nursing homes. In Winston County, they created an
outdoor classroom. They worked with Habitat for Humanity in Russell
County. There are hundreds of examples.
Helen
Keller, a great Alabamian, once said: "Happiness cannot come from
without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or
that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we
think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for
ourselves."
So,
what is it that YOU are doing to make the world a better place? As
adults, we have to be the role models that our children follow. We can
never be too kind, too generous, too forgiving, or too caring. By our
kindness, our generosity and our service, we help society, but we also
help ourselves. Make Alabama a better place to be by getting involved
with your local 4-H clubs. Volunteer and give back to your community.
Check out our web site at www.aces.edu/fourh/
for more information in your county.
We
were excited to receive applications from forty-eight (48) youth
throughout Alabama for the June 4-10 CWF (Citizenship-Washington Focus)
to Washington DC.
From
these applications, twenty-seven (27) delegates were selected to
represent Alabama. To those youth who were selected, Congratulations!
And to those who were not selected: we encourage you to continue your
hard good work and re-apply next year. Due to the large number and the
outstanding nature of the applications, the decision was extremely
difficult! There was a tremendous increase in the number of applications
this year as compared to previous years, and we were pleasantly
surprised at the number and increase in older youth applicants.
If
you supported a youth or Volunteer application, please contact your
4-Her and their families personally, and express to them our
appreciation for their interest and application, whether or not they
were selected.
2006
Alabama 4-H "Citizenship-Washington Focus" Delegates:
Ash,
Matt - Escambia
Andrews, Allysa - Elmore
Black, Tia Alexis - Monroe
Boyd, Brandon - Macon
Bush, Trey - Butler
Clark, Kara - Houston
Donaldson, Whitney - Coffee
Dorough, Lisa - Baldwin
Ford, Janna - Shelby
Jenkins, Austin - Lawrence
Johnson, Erin - Jackson
Kloberdanz, Miranda - Lauderdale
Louallen, Andrew - Lawrence
Louallen, Christie - Lawrence
Manning, Marc - Autauga
Marable, Malcom - Randolph
Money, Suzanne - Crenshaw
Neeley, Amanda - DeKalb
Reynolds, Desnatie - Lawrence
Sullivan, Keegan - Walker
Teel, Chelsea - Pike
Townsend, Nic - Winston
Walker, Ethan - Winston |
