By Faith Peppers
University of Georgia
More than 1,200 U.S. teens gathered Nov. 29 through Dec. 3 in
Atlanta for the 81st National 4-H
Congress.
“‘Celebrate the Possibilities,’ the theme of this year’s
congress, tells the story for these young people,” said Susan
Stewart, National 4-H Congress director.
“Chosen for their history of leadership in communities in 46
states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, each of these
young people comes to Atlanta with a desire to increase their
ability to lead,” she said.
The youths, ages 14-19, attended educational programs and
cultural events.
Dimes for Habitat
Millard Fuller, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity
International, joined the delegates to collect more than
100,000
dimes in honor of the 100th anniversary of 4-H. The
money will be
used to support Habitat for Humanity International and the
International 4-H Youth Exchange Program.
Fuller, a former 4-H member, encouraged the delegates to
participate in community service in his speech given on
Saturday.
“Be bold in your thinking, it is amazing what people can do
and
what you can do if you stay focused,” Fuller said. “I’m very
appreciative of the gesture of support from 4-H and our
organization will be good stewards in using the money.”
New York Times reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner,
Rick Bragg
shared with the delegates his experiences as an Alabama
4-H’er.
“For me 4-H connected the backyard to the rest of the world,”
Bragg said. “It gave me a chance to look outside Calhoun County
but much of what I learned taught me about where I lived.”
Bragg also offered advice to this year’s delegates.
4-H Benefits are for Life
“Take it seriously. 4-H has real benefits that will show up
later
in life, like with me,” Bragg said. “It is fun to meet people and
have a good time but it is much more than that and you should
take advantage of the opportunity.”
The group also heard from Miss America 2003 Erika Harold, who
also performed with the U.S. Army Band.
The delegates attended educational programs on topics ranging
from youth leadership to cultural diversity. A global simulation
workshop allowing the delegates to help solve the world’s
problems was also a program choice.
“Congress delegates will return home better able to make a
difference in their own communities,” Stewart said. “The
knowledge gained during their stay in Atlanta will be used to
make positive changes in communities across the nation. Atlanta
provides an excellent backdrop for the diversity of cultural
experience National 4-H Congress offers.”
Delegates learned community service, too, from a hands-on
point
of view. Along with Miss America, Erika Harold, delegates worked
at Art of the Season, a community outreach program of Children’s
Healthcare of Atlanta, leading children in making crafts.
