St. Mary students attend 4-H University

This summer, a group of St. Mary Parish 4-H’ers took time to adventure themselves into campus life and attended 4-H University. This year’s event was held June 23-26 at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
The event congregated approximately 1,500 4-H’ers from across the state. The St. Mary Parish delegation consisted of 51 youth, seven adult volunteers and four extension agents.
4-H University provides many opportunities for youth to learn and experience new things, interact with one another, and explore campus life while discovering educational and career options.
Months before the event, youth spent countless hours studying and attending trainings to prepare for competitions. These youth who took the opportunity to compete see their efforts rewarded by winning educational trips or advancing to national competitions to represent Louisiana.
For those that do not participate in a competition, several classes are offered in the noncompetitive learning event called Clover College. Participants in Clover College received more than seven hours of hands-on learning over the three days spent on campus.
St. Mary Parish 4-H members who attended 4-H University learned how to take responsibility for their actions, think independently, and focus on personal and team goals. 4-H University creates new leaders, friendships and memories.
St. Mary Parish 4-H would like to acknowledge the St. Mary Parish Government for its constant support and the St. Mary Parish School Board for providing transportation for the trip. Special thanks to Clatter Polidore for going above and beyond his duties to drive us around and ensure the safety of our group.
4-H’ers participating in state competitions were:
Blue Ribbon/Outdoor Skills Team Competition — Brawley Andrews (Member at Large), Kane Boudreaux (Hanson Memorial) and Marlena Darden (Centerville High); State Winner/Diesel Operations — Austin Champagne (Hanson); State Winner/Wildlife Habitat Judging — McKaila Darden (Centerville); Wildlife Habitat judging — second place, Maegan LeBlanc (Hanson); Blue Ribbon/Fashion Review Casual — Ashley Duhon (Franklin High); Blue Ribbon/Photography — Kaeley Hill (Berwick High); Blue Ribbon/Entomology Demo — Ashton Landry (Centerville) and Kennedi Williams (Hanson); Dog Science Contest — fourth, Trace Presley (Hanson); State Winner/Forestry — Carl Stirling (Hanson); State Winner/4-H Has Talent — Jhalon Thomas (Hanson); Blue Ribbon/Public Speaking Any — Madeline Williams (Hanson); Public Speaking Any — Jalacia Alexander (Franklin); 4-H Has Talent — Kentraell Benjamin (Patterson High); Outdoor Skills Individual — Rosemarie Colley (Hanson); Compact Tractor — Joseph Duhon (Glencoe Charter); Child Development — Mariah Durocher (Franklin) and Victoria Leblanc (West St. Mary); Dog Science Contest — Tanner Guillotte (Hanson); Meat ID — Chris Ibert (Hanson); and Fishing Sports — Jacob Rogers (Glencoe) and Austin Thibodeaux (WSM).
Clover College participants were:
Health Professions 101: So much more than Doctors and Nurses! — Sharon Aucoin (Patterson Junior High), Hannah Boudreaux (PJHS), Janette Driskill (PHS), Shannon Guagliardo (Morgan City High); The A-Team Makes a Plan — Koby Boudreaux (Hanson); Tiger Chef Program — Aiyana Brent (Franklin), Chezz Durocher (Franklin); Rockin’ Your Leadership Style — Kayleigh Charpentier (B.E. Boudreaux), Lauren Charpentier (Glencoe), Sarah Colon (BEB), Phillip Stirling (MAL); Louisiana Lagniappe – A Work of Art — Madison Cook (Chitimacha Tribal School), Taylor Hendricks (Glencoe), Avery Magee (Chitimacha), Ethan Vickrey (Stephensville Elementary); Forensics: The First 48 — Kloey Cuvillier (BHS), Sarah Daniel (Hanson), Kylie Henson (BHS); Lights, Camera, Action! — John Davidson (BHS), David Nugent (Central Catholic); Bioproducts: Clean and Green for the Future — Jalon Olivier (FJH), Shelby Thibodeaux (Glencoe); Fitness Frenzy — Elizabeth Parker (Glencoe), Olivia Thibodeaux (Centerville); K-9 Connections: Man’s Best Friend — Rhea Patureau (MCHS); and Tailgating Tiger Style — Destany Rose (Franklin), Brooklynn Soprano (BEB), Averie Williams (Hanson).
Adult volunteers were: Kirk Champagne, Hollie Carline-Williams, Jefferson Hemphill, Keri Hill, Kathy Landry, Ricki Lynn Patureau and Joe’l Pellerin.
Extension agents were: Thu Bui, Adriana Drusini, Jenni Ducote and Jimmy Flanagan.
--By ADRIANA DRUSINI
LSU AgCenter
Associate Extension Agent
St. Mary Parish 4-H Youth Development