4-H’er Ethan Hawk keeps finding new hobbies.
“I’m really into arts and crafts,” he said. Drawing, writing, designing and gardening top his list. That’s why the 12-year-old has been busy completing four Still projects in preparation for the Wayne County 4-H program’s early judging July 8.
Hawk enrolled in Scrapbooking: A Guide to Preserving Memories, The Writer In You, Seeing Through Graphic Design and Self-Determined Miniature Garden – Artificial.
The 4-H program offers more than 220 projects with a learn-by-doing approach so youth can master skills at different levels. An interview judging is required for members to exhibit their projects at the Wayne County Fair. Early judging participants also have an opportunity to be chosen to compete at the Ohio State Fair.
In his second year of 4-H, Hawk is learning skills that complement one another.
He drew on his graphic design knowledge for the plant layout in his garden he created with artificial succulents. He called it “plant architecture.”
His father, Brian, has worked in graphic design and is serving as his project helper. Mom, Sara, gave him guidance for scrapbooking.
“I learned to budget my money so I could buy all my scrapbooking supplies,” Hawk said. The writing project has taught him to use story outlines and writing prompts and how to develop a theme, character, plot and setting.
Hawk is homeschooled and he said his school friends got him interested in 4-H. Last year he enrolled in an electrical project. He likes the 4-H project, he said, “because it gives you a hands-on approach to learning. It’s fun.”
Camp was "sew" fun
In the area of Family and Consumer Sciences, the Wayne County 4-H program staff were thankful to receive a $400 JoAnn Fabric & Craft mini grant through the Ohio 4-H Foundation. It funded the purchase of patterns for our Beginning Sewing Camp. Participants who register for camp may choose one of our patterns as part of the $25 fee.
This year, 13 campers completed their Sew Fun project at the camp June 3-5. The campers were matched one-on-one with an experienced sewer to construct their beginning-level garment – an elastic-waisted pair of pants, shorts or skirt.
Both morning and afternoon sessions ended with the campers modeling their garments for family members.
Style Revue Awards set for July 15
The campers were encouraged to attend the Wayne County Food and Fashion Board’s annual Style Revue and Awards program at 7 p.m. (dessert reception at 6 p.m.) on July 15 at the Shisler Center ballroom. This event recognizes and celebrates all our Family and Consumer Sciences and Still project members.
Commentary is provided for all participants regardless of whether they are modeling a garment. The commentary is based on information provided by the 4-H’er.
In an effort to help our members with first-year food and nutrition projects, the Food and Fashion Board staged a July 17 clinic for members taking a food and nutrition project for the first time. Participants got a chance to do a practice interview and learn about topics such as menu planning, food safety, label reading and MyPlate, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s visual guide to help people make healthy food choices.
For their judging interview, food and nutrition project members need to bring a prepared dish they made for the project, table setting at which the dish is served and recipe for the dish. They also need to show the judge their completed project book and portfolio, both of which highlight their learning experience.
It’s a busy time for our 4-H’ers and they are hard at work preparing for our summer events. I look forward to seeing what they bring to judging and recognizing them at the Style Revue.
Laurie Sidle is an Ohio State University Extension Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H program assistant and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or sidle.31@osu.edu
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This article was previously published in The Daily Record.