From my first cow camp all the way to right now as Council Secretary, 4-H has been a big part of my life. I can remember being younger out at Wisdom Faith Christian Academy when my 4-H Agent or any of the others from the Extension office would come, they would always call out the older classes for their club meeting, for us to go and participate in what the activity was for the day. I can remember it was always the older kids that got to have their club meetings. So when I was little we would always have "class" in the next room over so we could watch the club meetings and see the older youth that were 9 and older take on their leadership potions. Eventually I was nine and could participate. I would always love the days when they would come, it was days of learning made fun.

I am a, learn by doing kind of guy. 

I was finally old enough to be a cloverbud in 4-H and it was one of the happiest times of my life, the time when I could finally join 4-H. I've always had an interest in cows so naturally the first thing I did as a cloverbud was participate in the State Dairy Cow Camp and that's what started it all; on through the years I participated in many competitions and activities where I have learned leadership, responsibility, integrity, and how to "be a good sports" (even if I didn't do so well in a competition I still congratulated those who did and learned from my mistakes.) 

Here it was the year I could finally go to 4-H camp! My first year at camp wasn't the greatest but again it taught me too be a good sport; I'm am going to give it another chance maybe it will be different type of person; I am thankful because my second year changed my life! Things were different and that made a change in me. From all the great people to all the lessons learned (and there are still things that I learn.) That year struck a love in me for camp and all who attend, and I continued and will continue to go as long as I am able. Over the years I have done many demonstrations which helped me with my public speaking. Believe it or not I used to be this shy boy that didn't want to do anything. 4-H brought me out of that shyness and has made me where now it I don't know you I'll still strike up a conversation about something! By participating in Demonstrations and country ham speeches it has helped me tremendously. I used to announce starting line ups for ball games and I would have never been able to without 4-H helping me come out of my shell. I'm thankful for all those speeches and demonstrations because that also helps me now with being called to preach the gospel. I have had many accomplishments through 4-H my most recent being the Ten Year Membership Award. I grateful for my 4-H agent and 4-H for allowing me to meet so many different people and grow closer to those who I meet. The best of all that 4-H has given me are some of the best memories of my life. 4-H members are the best kind of people, they will be there for you in your good times but even more in the rough to help each other out. There is so much more that can be said but there is only so much paper in the world, so I'll close with this: Thank you 4-H for making me the person I am today, I couldn't have done it without my 4-H Agent.