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Winter
2001 Volume 3, Number 2
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 4–Hers showcase their talents at 4–H Achievement Days By Deborah A. Benedetti More than 900 4-H youth from across Pennsylvania met at University Park campus to showcase their knowledge and skills during 4-H Achievement Days. This three-day event marked the 75th year for this annual state-level competition for members of Pennsylvania 4-H, coordinated by Penn State Cooperative Extension, according to Phil Hoy, youth program management coordinator in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education and organizer of the event. The event has been held at Penn State every year since 1925. The 2000 competition involved participants ages 13 to 19. They competed in 24 events, testing their skills in areas such as physical fitness, orienteering, public speaking, archery, food and nutrition, and livestock, dairy and horse judging. The event also featured a fashion revue for regional finalists who created clothing in 4-H fashion projects. “4-H Achievement Days lets 4-Hers demonstrate their knowledge and skills and gain recognition for their achievements,” Hoy said. “As they compete, they develop self-confidence and sharpen their decision-making abilities. They also have a chance to socialize with other 4-Hers.” Dr. Marilyn Corbin, state program leader for children, youth and families with Penn State Outreach and Cooperative Extension, said, “4-H is a very important program for Pennsylvania’s youth. The program is helping to shape many of our future leaders, thanks to the contributions of thousands of adults who volunteer their time to the program. 4-H Achievement Days is the culmination of years of hard work by some of the best and brightest 4-Hers. Penn State Cooperative Extension is pleased to support 4-H.” Winners of 4-H Achievement Days competitions qualify to compete at the national contests, which are held in the fall in many cities, including Columbus, Harrisburg, Kansas City, Louisville, Orlando and San Francisco. At Penn State, 44 young people qualified for nationals, Hoy said. He has organized the Pennsylvania 4-H Achievement Days for the last three years. Previously, he served as a Cooperative Extension agent in Lawrence County for three years, where he coordinated the county’s 4-H program. As a 4-H member, he and his team competed in the horse bowl (quiz) event and qualified for nationals. For the first time this year, companies and foundations donated funds to support 4-H Achievement Days. Penn State Outreach and Cooperative Extension’s Office of Outreach Development solicited funds to support the competitions and to create a scholarship fund to enable young people who would not otherwise be able to participate to attend. Ralston Purina sponsored the Canine Super Bowl, where young people demonstrated their knowledge about dogs in a quiz bowl and Skill-a-thon. Agway Equine Feeds sponsored the senior division horse judging competition, where participants judged six classes of horses and offered an oral defense of their judgments. Other companies and foundations supported scholarships enabling 4-Hers from individual counties to attend. Scholarship contributors and the counties they supported with their contributions include Wiscoy Pet Food Co., State College (Huntingdon County); Springs Window Fashions, Montgomery (Lycoming County); Ready Food Products Inc., Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Moyer Packing Co., Souderton (Montgomery County); the Emporium Foundation Inc., Emporium (Cameron County); and Raskas Cheese Products of Pennsylvania, Shippensburg (Cumberland County). 
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