Kinsley High School

Kinsley, Kansas

Teacher:  Dr. Galen R. Boehme

 

 

 

Striving to Enhance the Local 4-H Program

Presented by Miss Jennifer Bakumenko

 

 

We need to promote 4-H through parental involvement, public speaking, and role modeling.

           

Kansas 4-H is based out of Kansas State University.  The program is operated by state land grant universities.  In Kansas, a child must be seven years old by January 1 of the year he/she wishes to enroll.  4-H is the largest youth education organization, aside from public schools, in the state.¹  Edwards County has a very strong 4-H program.  However, we must continue to build the program.  The program will help the community grow together.  The program will also help close the generation gap between the older members of the community and the younger members.

           

Parents need to be more active in their children’s activities.  4-H is a family affair,  allowing parents to work closely with their children while they build a rewarding relationship.  The program recognizes and expands the strengths, talents, and skills of all of the family members.²  Public speaking promotes 4-H.  Members and leaders often give speeches in order to promote 4-H.  They also write newspaper articles, hand out bulletins, and visit the elementary schools.  Everyone must set a good example.  As members set a good example, more people will be interested in the program.  With more people involved, the program will continue to grow and be successful.

           

Edwards County 4-Hers have taken responsibility for enhancing the program.  We have two county agents who work at the County Extension Office.  Part of their job includes working with the 4-H program.  As agents, they are trained to make the program run more smoothly.  They try to spend time with as many 4-Hers and leaders as possible.  They are in charge of most of the countywide events including the achievement banquet, the club day, and the council meetings.  The agents are always willing to lend a helping hand in any way possible.

           

Former and present 4-Hers constantly promote our program.  Our different promotion tactics inform people of the opportunities existing through the 4-H program.  “4-H enables youth to have fun, meet new people, learn new lifeskills, build self-confidence, learn responsibility, and set and achieve goals.”³  4-H works on club, county, district state, national, and international levels.  Many 4-Hers have the opportunity to make new friends and travel to different places.  These opportunities are discussed while members promote 4-H.

           

Parents become involved in 4-H by serving as leaders.  Parents can serve on parents’ committees as new family coordinators, project leaders, community leaders, or helpers.  Parents and other adults can learn from the members while the members learn from their parents.  The leaders gain self-satisfaction while volunteering.

           

As an individual, I have taken several steps to help the 4-H program.  One step has been to be an Edwards County 4-H Ambassador.  The ambassador program was formed in the early 1980’s.  Edwards County began the program in 1994.  The program is designed to train high school age 4-Hers with leadership and public speaking skills.  The program gives older members an opportunity to enhance their leadership qualities.⁴  We give speeches, write articles, and assist in community activities.  We work with other 4-Hers by conducting officer training, assisting at the county and state fairs, assisting at award banquets, and lending a helping hand whenever possible.  We always try to set a good example.

           

I have taken the personal responsibility of being a positive role model.  Not only am I an ambassador, but I also serve as president of our club.  I have learned from former 4-Hers who have been in our club.  I have learned about punctuality, bookkeeping, and diplomacy.  I hope that the younger members are learning from me.  I hope to pass on my leadership, public speaking, and organizational skills.  Since I am graduating from high school, this is my last year in the club.  I have followed in the paths of other members, and I hope that the younger members will follow in my path. 

             

I know that the younger members are always looking up to me.  I try to show them how to practice good sportsmanship.  4-H promotes sportsmanship though the conduct of our members.  We demonstrate and maintain high standards of personal behavior.  We learn and follow the rules.  We are truthful, fair, and straightforward.  We accept competition.  We are courteous, and we gratefully accept the suggestions of others.⁵ 

           

4-H has taught me numerous life skills that I will always carry with me.  4-H defines the five life skills as these:  Relating to others, building self-confidence, developing a concern for the community, learning to make decisions, and developing an inquiring mind.  4-H has taught me all of these skills along with many others.  We must continue to promote the 4-H program along with the ambassador program.  We need more publicity for the program.  We need to recognize the noteworthy individuals throughout the year.  We need to stress that the ambassador program works throughout the community in all aspects, not just in 4-H.  The 4-Hers are always willing to lend a helping hand.  We live by our motto that states, “To Make The Best Better.”

           

I will always strive to support the 4-H program.  I plan to continue my 4-H work in college.  Members, parents, leaders, and numerous other people are part of the 4-H program.  If we continue to build the program, we will continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

 

FOOTNOTES

 

¹ “What is 4-H?”, p.1.

 

² “4-H Is a Family Affair,” pp. 2-3.

 

³ “The National 4-H Web,” p.1.

 

⁴ Gleason, interview.

 

⁵ “Sportsmanship for Youth Participants,” pp. 1-2.

 

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

“4-H Is a Family Affair.” Manhattan, Kansas:  Cooperative Extension Service at Kansas State University, January1987.

Gleason, Jennifer. Personal Interview, Kinsley, Kansas, February 22, 2000.

 

“The National 4-H Web.” February 15, 2000.  <http://www.4-h.org/index.html>.

 

“Sportsmanship for Youth Participants.” Manhattan, Kansas:  Cooperative Extension Services at Kansas State University, May 1996.

 

“What Is 4-H?” Kansas State University. February 3, 2000. February 16, 2000.  http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/4hyp/whatis/htm.

 

 

Responses to the Questions

For Required Reading

 

Question #1:  How does society invest in marriage in the USA and in Manus?

            Society invests in marriage differently in the United States and in Manus.

            Marriage is a very sacred commitment.  In the United States, most individuals are able to choose their own spouses.  Although family members play a part in the relationship, the bride and groom are the two main people involved. 

            Marriage in Manus is different.  Families choose a man for the woman to date.  During the betrothal, the family learns more about the gentleman.  If the family is satisfied, the family members often “buy” a husband for the bride.  The family invests “dog’s teeth and shell money.”  The recipients later pay back the family in “pigs and oil.”  The Manus are very careful in choosing the correct spouse.  They are cautious when a man has been divorced.  They feel that if a man was not worthy in his first marriage, he might not be worthy in his second marriage.  The family does not want to invest in a marriage if the relationship will not last.

            Both societies look for people of great prestige.  Some individuals base their relationships on money.  Others look for a spouse who will be kind and loving.  In the United States, the individuals take personal responsibility in choosing a partner.  In Manus, the family takes the responsibility of choosing a partner.

            The society plays a role in the marriage of people in the United States and in Manus.  Therefore, we must choose our investments wisely.  Everyone involved must be responsible.

 

Question #2:  Interview 10 married people.  State the length and number of each one’s marriages and a line or two of advice from each on how to maintain a long, happy relationship.

            Responsibility is a necessity in making a marriage successful.  The individuals must take personal responsibility while working with their partners.

Female:  Married 25 years, married once - Talk about things, do things together, and never fight about money.

 

Female:  Married 7 years, married twice - Always try to work through problems without fighting.

 

Male:  Married 15 years, married once - Spend quality time with your spouse and your children.

 

Male:  Married 25 years, married once - Never go to bed mad.  Try to work out problems before they become worse.

 

Female:  Married 11 years, married once - Do not make any major decisions without talking to your spouse.  Always think about the idea ahead of time.

 

Female:  Married 2 years, married once - Do not rush into marriage.  Make sure you are happy and are with the right person.

 

Male:  Married 6 years, married three times - Communicate with each other.  Do not be possessive of the other person, but spend time together.

 

Male:  Married 35 years, married once - Hang in there even when it gets tough.  Never give up on each other.

 

Female:  Married 35 years, married once - Have fun together.  Enjoy the time you have with each other, with your children, and with your grandchildren.

 

Female:  Married 3 years, married three times - Learn from your mistakes.  Try to make every moment in the relationship meaningful.

            These ten people are all happily married.  One comment they all made was to keep the lines of communication open.  Communication is the key to any relationship.  This takes a lot of responsibility.

 

Question #3:  According to Richard Eckersley, what should our collective goal be?

            According to Eckersley, our collective goal should be to “dematerialize society without reducing quality of life.”

            Many companies are trying to expand technology at rapid pace.  Since the world’s population is increasing, more products need to be manufactured.  However, the companies need to maintain their quality of work while producing the products.  The companies must consider the present time as well as the future.  Some products require the use of natural resources.  We need to look for alternatives for these resources.  We must focus on the growth of the economy and on our environment.  If we do not take care of our environment, we will no longer have natural resources.  Therefore, the world will no longer exist.

            We also need to judge life by quality.  “More” is not necessarily “better.”  While we continue to build our economy, we must consider ourselves and our families.  Our personal, social, and spiritual relationships are very important.  We cannot base all of our conclusions on money and income.  We must remember to be happy.  We must take care of ourselves in order to remain healthy.  By taking care of ourselves, we will help the economy and the world around us.

            We need to set personal goals to keep ourselves happy.  We each have a set of personal values and morals that we must live by.  We need to live by our values as we help ourselves and our surroundings.  The community needs to set goals to enhance our economy while protecting our environment.

 

Question #4:  Write a worthy goal for your local community.

The community must join forces in order to provide for the youth.

            I am involved in a community of approximately 2,000 people.  I live in a small town.  Together, we form a community that needs to work together.  Although individuals must take personal responsibility, work is more efficient if a group is working on the project.  It is time for the community to work together.

            Since we live in a small town, entertainment is hard to obtain.  Several bars are located in town.  However, the bars are not appropriate places for children and teenagers.  At the present time, only one restaurant is open for teenagers to “hang out.”  Many people find the town to be boring, so they decide to party.  This leads to the abuse of alcohol, a huge problem in the community.

            The teenage alcoholism rate in town would decrease if teenagers had other events to participate in.  More activities should be available for children and teenagers.  I try to promote fun and safe activities.  However, as a student, it is extremely hard for me to convince people not to drink.  At times, I understand where the students are coming from because there is nothing to do in our community.  I would like to help our community build some entertainment for the youth. 

            We need places that children feel safe going to.  We should try to open a restaurant where students can have a good time without drinking.  Our community used to have an arcade.  It provided a place for the students to congregate.  If the arcade would reopen, some people would not be as bored so they would not turn to alcohol. 

            The individuals of our community must take personal responsibility while the community also takes responsibility.  Together, we can make a difference in the lives of everyone in our community.

 

Question #5:  Comment on the excerpts from “Tomorrow’s Child.”

            “Tomorrow’s Child” shows that society must work together in order to better the world for the children.

            Mothers are not replaceable.  Many children turn to toys to comfort them when their parents are not around.  Dolls have become very popular, but they cannot replace a mother.  Today’s society is very hectic, and many parents do not spend enough time with their children.  These children are becoming lost in our world.  Without their parents, the children have a hard time of determining their values.  The gap between children and adults is constantly growing.

            We are beginning to live in a “winner-take-all society.”  The economy is focusing on wealth and income.  We are trying to close the gaps among races, but the process is very slow.  While we work on closing the gaps among races, we are widening other gaps.  Adults are moving farther away from the children.  Society needs to pay more attention to the children.  Employers need to understand that adults need to spend time with their children.  Parents need to take the responsibility of caring for their children.  The American population is diversified.  We have many races and cultures that have combined.  We need to accept the people around us and take time to learn about these people.  However, before we can work on saving the country, we need to work on saving our homes.  Quality family time is the only way we are going to save our nation.

            We must take responsibility before children disconnect from their families.  As a society, we must help each other in making America a better place to live.

 

Question #6:  How does the fact the USA is a democracy makes lawyers particularly helpful, according to Kathleen Sullivan?  How does our diversity, wealth and size make lawyers particularly helpful?

            Democracy, diversity, wealth, and size make lawyers helpful.

            Democracy promotes individualism.  The social fluidity of our country plays a large role in our lives.  People, such as lawyers, help as a mediator between individuals and the state.  This protects from tyranny.  Lawyers try to work through lawsuits.  The lawyers help work out conflicts before they get out of hand.  Lawyers help America be a fluid country.

            America is very diversified because of its combination of religion, race, and culture.  Our country is heterogeneous.  Due to discrimination, conflict arises among the  different groups.  Lawyers step in to mediate between the parties.  They work to close the various cultural gaps.

            The United States is a wealthy country.  Not only do we have the basics needs, but we also live in luxury.  However, people also need to worry about the environment.  It is essential for us to have clean air and clean water.  Health care is another issue that must be addressed.  Human life is precious, and it needs to be preserved.  The law and lawyers help us decide how to use our money wisely.

            The United States is also a large piece of land.  We cannot worry only about our small, local communities.  We must consider the national views.  We have to make transitions on a large-scale basis.  Lawyers help us set up scales that will produce the most beneficial results.  They help enforce the rules that will make our country run more smoothly.

            Lawyers are helpful in all fields of American life.  The United States could not survive without lawyers.

 

Question #7:  Ms. Sullivan claims bad practices are changed either by regulations or punitive damages.  Which do you prefer and why?  Can you think of an alternative?

            Regulations work better to change bad practices than punitive damages.

            Punitive damages can be unfair to some people.  If one person or company is caught doing something wrong, then everyone should not be punished.  However, in some cases, it is unfair to punish one company when other companies are doing the same poor quality of work.  Punitive damages tend to be opposed.  This would lead to greater conflict.  Conflict is already a problem.  We should not try to enhance the problem. 

            On the other hand, regulations could change bad practices.  Regulations set standards for everyone.  Everyone would have the same perception on what is satisfactory and what is dissatisfactory.  The conflict would be reduced because if a standard is set, people cannot argue on who is right and who is wrong.  The world would be more united with regulations.  The world is now very diversified, and many people argue over different matters.  Setting the standards would make us more complete. 

            Someone must take a stand in fighting for what is right.  Regulations must be set to organize our country.

 

Question #8:  Briefly describe three ways society would benefit from the coming retirement of baby boomers, according to the required reading.

            The baby boomers are about to retire.  That could mean huge benefits for our society.

            After years of working, the baby boomers will continue to make a contribution to our society through volunteer work.  Some of the people will enjoy their leisure time, but others will be bored.  These people will be more willing to volunteer.  Retirees usually have spare time in which they are able to participate in different activities.  Some of them will volunteer for projects through  different clubs and organizations.  Many of the organizations in the United States are based on volunteers.  The volunteers keep the organizations alive.  With the retirees volunteering their services, the clubs and organizations will continue to grow.

            Some people enjoy their occupations.  After retiring, they want to continue contributing to various causes. They can choose to participate in the activities that they want to.  Therefore, they are going to be more willing to work.  Their efforts will be recognized by the people around them, and the retirees’ work will be rewarded.

            We can also learn from retirees.  They have been dedicated employees for many years.  They have reached their peaks through hard work and dedication.  These retirees share a sense of worthiness.  They are continuing to strive.  These people will also show us that it is important for us to always do our best.

            Our society is continuing to grow economically, technically, and financially.  With the retirement of many baby boomers, we are likely to see society become even stronger through their contributions.

 

Question #9:  Evaluate the likelihood of President Clinton’s anti-poverty program making a real impact.  Give at least three reasons to back up your conclusions.

            President Bill Clinton’s anti-poverty program will greatly impact our society.

            The poverty rate in the United States is declining.  However, we must help our country to make sure the rate continues to decline.  Clinton has developed an anti-poverty program that will make this progress possible.  The best time to help a problem is the present.  If something is not done about the problem now, then it may worsen and never be solved.  The economy is running at full capacity, and we must act immediately.

            This program will allow Americans to help their own country instead of others.  Businesses are growing.  The discrimination rate is declining which will help the poor.  If we give the poor opportunities to work, then fewer of them will suffer from poverty.

            Finally, the policies of our country are “better than in the past.”  If the present is better than the past, then we need to work to make sure our future is even better.  Money is being issued to private sectors.  These sectors decide how the money is to be distributed.  The policies also allow more people to be aware of the problem of poverty.  Awareness will help us fight the problem.

            Clinton’s program may not be flawless, but it is the best program that we have.  It would benefit the entire country, especially the poor.  With everyone working together, we can decrease the poverty rate of our country.

 

Question #10:  Name three things Truett Cathy and Tom Lewis have in common.

Truett Cathy and Tom Lewis both realize that it is necessary to take personal responsibility in order to better the world.

            Businesses grow through dedication and persistence.  Cathy began working at a very young age.  He started at the bottom and worked his way to the top.  Through his creative thinking and marketing strategies, Cathy developed the Chick-fil-A sandwich.  He developed a method to produce a delicious product while serving the customers in a timely fashion.  If someone questions his ability, he works hard to prove that he is a successful businessman.  Lewis also works hard to make his business successful.  After retiring from the police department, Lewis opened a school in a “bad” section of town.  Many people questioned Lewis, but he opened the school.  The school is still open and running smoothly.

            Cathy and Lewis both feel that it is important to work with children.  Cathy teaches Sunday school, sponsors scholarships for college, runs a summer camp, and supports a foster home.  Cathy is trying to be a positive role model for the children.  He hopes the children will be successful in their lives.  Lewis works with the children in his school.  His door is always open to students.  Lewis has made a difference in the lives of the children who will be part of our country’s future.

            Education is important to Cathy and Lewis.  Cathy wants students to continue their education.  Due to financial and family responsibilities, many people find it hard to stay in school.  Cathy supports students through his scholarships.  He also makes sure that the children are learning while they live in the foster home that he built for them.  Lewis was willing to risk everything he had in order to open the school.  He believes that every child has the right to an education.  It does not matter where the children live.  The school continues to produce successful students.

            Cathy and Lewis have taken personal responsibility to make sure that they are successful and the people around them are successful.