April 6, 2018 Volume 18, Issue 14

Tennessee 4-H

Ideas

Inside This Issue:

Pathways to Sustained 4-H Involvement

Dr. Richard Clark

Now is the time to transition your school 4-H club members to on-going

community 4-H events/project groups/camp or activities for the summer.

Continuous long-term 4-H involvement is the key to youth mastering

the knowledge and skills they need for lifelong success.

College Scholarship

Applications Due

2

Ride’em Cowboy….

Cowgirl

3

Project Portfolios 4-5

Teen Leader Applica-

tion process: Elec. &

6

VOLSpotlight

Denise Routzhan,

Robertson County

7-8

Is it Really Worth it? 9

Feature Friday 10

Upcoming Events 11

Page 2 Volume 18, Issue 14

Reminder: 4-H College Scholarship Applications due

to the State Office May 1* Carmen G. Burgos, Extension Specialist

We are now using an online 4-H College Scholarship Program to submit scholarship applications.

The program is very easy to use. Each section has brief instructions to follow. A summary chart of

college scholarships is available on our web site at https://4h.tennessee.edu/Pages/

forms_materials.aspx#16 Note that not all of the scholarships require youth to major in agriculture

or attend UTK. Some scholarships are also available to youth who have already completed one year

of college so read the guidelines carefully!

There is additional information on each schol-

arship in the Awards and Recognition Hand-

book, Section VI. The handbook is located on

our web site (click on the Green AWARDS

circle and select Recognition.) In addition to

the summary chart, there are other resources

available on the web page to facilitate the pro-

cess of completing the application. Make sure

you read those resources before you start

working on the application. Among the re-

sources is a User Guide for the application

process. The link to the application program is

https://4hscholarship.tennessee.edu/

The online process requires an electronic ap-

proval from the county agent before the appli-

cant submits the final application to the state 4

-H office. This feature is to allow the agent to

review and give feedback on the content of the

application. The applicant can then review and

update the information on the application be-

fore submitting the document to the state 4-H

office.

Applications are due on the date an-

nounced by the county Extension agent

and must be submitted to the state office

no later than May 1*. After May 1, the pro-

gram locks and applications will not be accept-

ed.

Listing of 4-H College Scholarships

African-American Scholarship - $300

Alpha Gamma Rho Agricultural Scholarship (AGR) - $500

Alan Peace Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

Arthur Wells Memorial Scholarship - $500

Charline H. Powell Scholarship - $1000

Earl Knepp Agricultural Scholarship - $600

Farm Credit Services of Mid-America 4-H Scholarship -

$1000

FarmHouse Agricultural Scholarship - $500

Gilbert N. Rhodes Agricultural Scholarship - $1,000

G.L. Herrington Agricultural Scholarship (due 3/1) -

$1000

Harold Robbins Agricultural Scholarship - $300

Hamilton-Brown Scholarship - $500

Lovelace-McKinney Scholarship (renewable for 4 years) -

$1500/semester

Mary Basinger Elliott Memorial Scholarship - $1500

Mary Stanfill Family & Consumer Sciences Scholarship -

$200

Mary Stanfill Memorial Scholarship - $1000

Richard Shadden Memorial Scholarship - $250

Stephen McNeil Memorial Scholarship - $500

TEAFCS Scholarship - $500 TFGA Mary B. Cooper Scholarship - $500

Tennessee Farm Bureau Health Plans Nursing Scholarship

- $1250

Troy & Susie Johnson Memorial Scholarship - $500

UTK Collegiate 4-H Scholarship - $250.00

W.B. & Imogene Kyker Agricultural Scholarship - $250

Page 3 Volume 18, Issue 14

Ride’m Cowboy…and Cowgirl Timothy Roberts, Ag Extension Agent, Shelby County

Prior to the High School Rodeo at Agricenter’s Show Place Arena, Shelby County Extension,

Agricenter, and the High School Rodeo Association, teamed together to provide a Rodeo class

for a local elementary school. These teen leaders shared their love for Rodeo by teaching the

youth about the various Rodeo events. Shady Grove Elementary students learned how to rope,

tie, barrel race, and be a Rodeo Clown. They also were introduced to a Veterinarian and got to

see a demonstration of a Barrel Race.

This group of high school rodeo teen leaders missed school for an opportunity to work with

younger students to show them what they do on a daily basis. The youth were divided into

groups and paired with a teen leader.

The teen leaders demonstrated and gave the

youth an opportunity to try to see if they

could rope.

This young cowboy talked about safety

around large animals. He showed the youth

his saddle and they even got to feel how soft

the horse was.

Page 4 Volume 18, Issue 14

4-H Project Portfolios Due in State Office by May 1 Minor changes to Portfolio Process for 2018

Don’t forget – May 1 is the deadline to submit 4-H Project Portfolios to the state office. Again, this year, all submissions will be electronic (either email or through the UT Vault) – same as last year. You will have until 11:59 p.m. on May 1 to complete the task. Again, I will email you with-in 24 hours to let you know that I have received the portfolio(s) successfully. If you do not hear from me within this time, please double check with me. Remember, we are in the process of moving to a more technology-friendly, web-based portfolio format … so minor changes will continue to occur until we reach this goal in 2019. A couple of minor changes to portfolios for 2018: Rubric

We will use the same scoring rubric as we did in 2017. You can see the new rubric by going to the 4-H Website and clicking on “Forms and Materials” on the top bar. Then scroll down to “portfolio.” You will find the new rubric listed as “Portfolio Score Card, Ru-bric, Comments Page (2018)”. It is also listed in the 4-H Roundup section (under “Activities”), scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Project Competition” or simply click on this link: https://4h.tennessee.edu/Pages/roundup/projcomp.aspx. There are three changes to the rubric and they are as follows:

A “zero” column has been added. This will be used to mark sections of the portfolio that are missing (instead of leaving the section blank and with no score indicated). The “Friends, Family and Community” section of the Section C Citizenship has been divided. Contestants will be given a score for “Friends and Family.” They will also be given a separate score for “Community.” The overall benchmark scores for the “Friends, Family and Community” have also been divided. So, for example, if in order to get a score of “3”, a contestant needed to have a minimum of 10 activities related to friends, family and community ... then the contestant now has to have 5 activities for “friends and family” and 5 activities for “community.” Contestants may use the same Section C form as in year’s past. The form will be changed to reflect the previously-mentioned modifications for 2019. In the interim, the judges for citizenship and leadership will be instructed to divide this section and look for the work in “family and friends” AND “community.” The ranking on each section of the rubric has also been modified. Instead of being ranked 1-5 on each section, contestants will be scored 1 – 15 with each of the five benchmark areas of each section having a range of three points. Whew!? Sounds confusing?! Let’s make this simple. Last year, the rubric looked like this:

Page 5 Volume 18, Issue 14

This year, a three-point range will be provided for each score. This encourages a higher quality of work on the part of the 4-H’er and allows for more autonomy of judging by the judges. The rubric now looks like this:

How does this work? It’s very simple. While a 4-H’er may have the “minimum” number of activities required to receive a score of”10-12” (formerly 4), the judge may only award a 10 if the quality of the work appears to be mundane, repetitive and not contributing to the growth of knowledge and skill -- which is the objective of the portfolio. Keep in mind, it is about the quality of work … not the quantity!

SUPER Registration For 2018, in addition to electronically submitting your portfolios, please register EACH portfolio in SUPER. The link to the registration link is as follows: http://super.tennessee.edu/Event/Home.aspx?id=13087.

Registration will make it easier to keep up with submissions and hopefully cut down on emails and phone calls regarding checks and double checks between you and the State 4-H Office.

Level I Narrative/Resume and Interview

Based on the recommendations of the Portfolio Workgroup and with approval of the state and regional 4-H staff, Level I competitors will move away from the narrative and to a resume. All Level I contestants, therefore, may submit either a narrative or a resume in their portfolio.

State finalists in Level I will NOT use a display during their interview at 4-H Roundup. Instead, Level I finalists should bring a resume with them to the interview –just like Level II finalists.

Scores

All finalists will receive a copy of their scores and judges’ comments from the portfolio judging on stage the evening of the awards banquet. This is a new format with Showare

® that was piloted and implemented with success during 4-H Congress.

As always, I am happy to answer any questions!

1 2 3 4 5

1-3 4-6 7-9 10-12 13-15

Page 6 Volume 18, Issue 14

REMINDER: State Teen Leader Applications

Process for Electric Camp & Target Smart Camp Daniel Sarver, Extension Specialist

We are approaching the time of year when State Teen

Leader Applications for Electric Camp and Target Smart

Camp are coming due to your Regional Office. We know

that you will have some very anxious teens and families

waiting on the outcome of the application process.

As a reminder, please be aware of the process. The re-

gional deadline to get the State Teen Leader Applications

for Electric Camp to the State 4-H Office is May 1

and the Target Smart Camp deadline to the State

4-H Office is May 15. Here is the process, as outlined

on the application:

STEP 1: Counties submit application to the Regional Office for review.

STEP 2: Regional Offices review the application and either approve or deny for submission

to the State 4-H Office

STEP 3: State 4-H Office committee reviews applications and approves or denies application

STEP 4: All applicants are notified of the results

We anticipate receiving many applications, and a committee will be making the critical and painstak-

ing determination of selecting these worthwhile young people to the important role of Camp Teen

Leader.

Counties should expect the announcement for Electric Camp by May 18, and for Target Smart

Camp by June 1.

Page 7 Volume 18, Issue 14

Carmen G. Burgos, Extension Specialist

A new addition! Vol Spotlight

We have outstanding 4-H volunteer leaders throughout the state of Tennessee involved in

growing future leaders and expanding learning opportunities for youth and other 4-H vol-

unteer leaders. They bring a diverse set of skills to the county programs and give of their

time and resources to youth. Our 4-H volunteers are dedicated and making a difference as

they collaborate with county 4-H agents. They plan and implement educational activities,

events and provide unique opportunities for youth to experience. They are the significant

adults every child needs, in addition to parents. This is the first of a number of articles that

will highlight the work of our 4-H volunteer leaders and agents.

If you have a volunteer, teen or adult, engaged and contributing to programs in your coun-

ty, please recognize them by contributing an article for the Vol Spotlight section of our

newsletter. Share their accomplishments with youth and the community. The 4-H program

has very dedicated agents. Volunteers, share how you work with your agent and how the

agent-volunteer partnership is contributing to growing youth in your county. Send your ar-

ticle to Carmen G. Burgos at cburgos@utk.edu. If possible, send a picture of your volun-

teer or agent (a headshot or an action picture).

Page 8 Volume 18, Issue 14

Denise Routzhan,

Robertson County

Carmen G. Burgos, Extension Specialist

“4-H taught me so many life skills that I wanted to keep doing and

learning in 4-H.”

Denise Routzahn is a former 4-H member from Robertson County. As a 4-H

member, she was an Honor Club member, an All –Star and a Vol state recipi-

ent. Her projects work included public speaking, arts and crafts, citizenship

and leadership, plus participated on several judging teams. She decided to vol-

unteer with Extension when considering the impact volunteers had on her while

growing up in 4-H and realizing the impact that helping one child can have. Denise

has served as a 4-H volunteer leader for approximately 25 years!

Denise is the organizational leader for the Robertson County 4-H Shooting Sports, currently working

with 20 members. She is a certified Shooting Sports instructor. Denise has served youth in Robertson

County in many ways, including conducting fundraisers for Shooting Sports and Exchange programs,

writing articles about 4-H shooting sports for the Robertson County Times, serving as judge for county

4-H public speaking contest, and assisting with Shooting Sports workshop at Volunteer Leader Forum.

In 2012, Denise received the State 4-H Adult Volunteer Leader Award and won a trip to National 4-H

Congress. When she won the award and asked to make a comment, she expressed the following: “4-H

taught me so many life skills that I wanted to keep doing and learning in 4-H. I have continued to be a

believer in 4-H as a volunteer for more than 20 years. It would be an honor and a privilege to finally

represent Tennessee at National 4-H Congress!” Not only has Denise been involved in developing

youth, she has served and provided leadership to a number of committees including as president of the

Robertson County Volunteer Association, and is currently serving as one of the Tennessee volunteer

representatives on the Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Advisory Group. Besides volunteering with

4-H, her other hobbies and interests are painting and traveling.

Denise describes the most rewarding part of volunteering in the community through Robertson County

Extension as continuing to contribute to Robertson County 4-H and its motto: To Make the Best Bet-

ter. She sums us the work Robertson County Extension does in three words:

Important

Rewarding

Priceless

Page 9 Volume 18, Issue 14

Is It Really Worth It? Nicole Marrero, Overton County

If you are like me, at some point in your year,

you ask yourself, “Is all this promotion, mar-

keting, long hours, and preparation worth it?

Does anyone even notice?”

I was having one of those days that turned into

a week. I felt behind on EVERYTHING. The

phone was ringing off the hook and I had a mil-

lion other things to do besides answer the

phone. I answered the phone regardless, this 4-

H alumni asked to remain anonymous, so I will

call him Chad.

Chad said, "I am calling from [far away state], I

moved away years ago, but my family was read-

ing the newspaper and saw you look for donations for camp. Can I help?" I was a little worried that I had

e-mailed an article to the wrong newspaper, but I cheerfully responded, "Of course, but I have to ask,

how on earth did you get a newspaper from here in your current state? Are you sure you are calling the

right office?” Chad laughs and says, "My family loves reading the local papers from where we grew up. We

subscribe to both of Overton’s and each month we mail it from family to family and read it. I loved going

to camp! I think our group was actually the first to camp there! Did you know it was a POW camp first? I

always loved that story...I was also a state vice president and did so many judging teams your head would

spin!”

While our conversation went longer, you

could not imagine how big my smile was. I

forgot every worry I had and my ears rec-

orded every word he said. This is what late

night meetings are about. This is why we

write article after article, and promote on

every method we can. This is why we

spend hours in clubs and camps: for a

phone call to happen over 60 years since a

4-H members initial experiences that im-

pacts lives around them for generations to

come. If you have had a week that has

made you ask some version of the ques-

tion, “Is it Worth it?”, I hope you can re-

member the story of “Chad” and know the

answer is ABSOLUTLY.

Page 10 Volume 18, Issue 14

Feature Friday Shelby Brawner, Extension Assistant/Grant Manager

4-H Motto: To Make the Best Better

State 4-H Office

2621 Morgan Circle

Room 205 Knoxville, TN 37996

Phone: 865-974-2128

Fax: 865-974-1628

ALEC.utk.edu

4h.tennessee.edu

TN4hfoundation.org

4-H PLEDGE

I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking;

My HEART to greater loyalty

My HANDS to larger service; and

My HEALTH to better living,

For my club, my community, my country and my world.

ALEC Graduate Program

Masters of Science in Agriculture Leadership, Education and

Communications (ALEC)

Online degree available!!

For more information, please visit

ag.tennessee.edu/alec

Or Call 865-974-7371

Carrie Ann Stephens

Professor, 4-H/ALEC

Upcoming

Events

April 7-12 National 4-H Conference, Washington, DC

April 13 Performing Arts Troupe Audition Tapes Due

April 13 June Dairy Month Posters Due

April 21 State 4-H Air Rifle & BB Jamboree

2018 State

4-H Calendar

Want to see your story in Ideas?

Email it to state.4h.office@utk.edu