Cloverleaf Project Achievement is a month away
By Kevin Tatum, County Extension Coordinator
Students in 4th-6th grades interested in participating in Cloverleaf District Project Achievement (DPA) need to get signed up for their project and started working on it as soon as possible. Cloverleaf DPA will be held in Lyons, on Saturday, November 9. Our registration deadline is October 18.
DPA is a contest where a student selects a project area, narrows down their topic, researches that topic, organizes their information, writes a five to six minute speech, prepares visual aids about that speech, practices, and goes to the contest to present their project in front of the other students in their project and the project judges.
I would like to tell you why your child should take part in DPA. First of all, there are more Americans are afraid of speaking in public than people who are afraid of heights. More than 25% of Americans admit to being afraid to speak in public according to a Chapman University survey. Less people are afraid of blood/needles or flying than they are of public speaking. The only way someone gets over the fear of speaking in public is to actually do it. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
Secondly, students are learning and practicing research skills by learning more about their project. They are also learning to discern what information is important and what’s not for their speech. As we walk the students through the process, it is helping them practice skills they will need in middle and high school, as well as college and their career.
A third reason to participate in DPA is that students learn how to create visual aids that support their project. These skills will be useful in school, college, and their career as well.
A fourth reason is the students get to meet fellow 4-H members from other schools and counties while preparing and competing. Active 4-H members have contacts all over the state and even the southern region of the US.
Our staff is willing to help your child get ready for DPA. The first step is to sign up for a project of their interest. They do this at the 4-H office. Parent involvement is greatly appreciated and helps increase family time with your child as well.
If you would like to know more about DPA, please contact one of our staff members, Liz Batten, Alyse Hall, Chalanda Woods, or me, and we will gladly answer any questions you have about DPA.
4-H Thanksgiving Card Contest
Two Coffee County 4-H members submitted entries for this year’s Georgia 4-H Thanksgiving Card Artwork Contest. They were Ila Lane McGowan from Citizens Christian Academy and Muskan Minhas from Coffee High School. We wish them both the best of luck in the state contest.
Pet Therapy Club
4-H members who have friendly pets are invited to join our 4-H Pet Therapy Club which will take friendly pets to visit the residents at the local assisted living centers like Vista Park, The Landings, and/or Lakeside Senior Living Center. This is a great community service project which allows the residents to pet friendly animals and visit with the students. Sign up today at the 4-H office. You must have a friendly pet to participate in this club!
Tractor Supply Day
Each year, Tractor Supply Company holds two Paper Clover Sales in order to raise money for 4-H, one in the spring and one in the fall. The fall paper clover sale will be held in early October this year. We appreciate the local Tractor Supply Store working with 4-H whenever we need to do fundraisers as well as with the Paper Clover Sale. They have always been very supportive of the efforts of 4-H in Coffee County and we are truly grateful.
Clovers & Co. to Perform
Each year Georgia 4-H’s renowned performing group, Clovers & Co., performs at the Georgia National Fair. This year’s performance will take place on Sunday, October 13. Show times are: 12:30, 2:00, and 3:00 PM. The performances will take place on the Reaves Arena Stage. Stop by support this great group of young performers as they represent Georgia 4-H.
If you would like to learn how you can become more involved with the Coffee County 4-H program, please contact the Coffee County Extension office at (912) 384-1402 or visit our website at http://coffee4h.org.