The choices we make help shape our character. My participation in
scouting, music, athletics and academic events has addressed
specific areas of development. But my involvement with Georgia
4-H has helped in a myriad of ways to shape me into a
contributing and compassionate citizen.

Asked why she had encouraged me to be so active, my mom said it
was to help me grow into a well-rounded person. She knew
intuitively what a 1999 Cornell University study verified: 4-H
has a positive impact on kids. It gives them assets that make
them less likely to get into drugs and other risky behaviors and
more likely to be healthy and successful in school.

It wasn’t clear to me at first what 4-H was all about. But my
fifth-grade teacher made it attractive, and I was hooked. I was
having fun and learning to feel good about myself.

Looking back, I can see that the emphasis on developing the
“head, heart, hands and health” has helped me build life skills
and obtain many of the assets I need to succeed.

My Head

In developing my head, 4-H improved my managing and
thinking skills. In competitive events, I’ve set goals for myself
and learned to manage my time and resources to achieve them.

Of course, the goal is to be the best you can be. Sometimes I’m
rewarded by earning a win. At other times, I learn how to be
better next time.

I first competed in communication as a Cloverleaf. I’ve continued
in this project, learning more about the topic and refining my
speaking and presentation skills each year.

My Heart

My parents say 4-H has helped improve my heart,
specifically in building my social skills. Painfully shy in
middle school, I signed up to attend Junior 4-H Conference and
found I was the only one from my school planning to go. I could
have dropped out, but I opted to go, and it was a turning point
in my life.

I was forced to become acquainted with students from other
schools in my county and made friends from other counties, too.
That weekend showed me I shouldn’t shy away from events because
my friends weren’t there. Since then I’ve made many friends from
across the state through 4-H.

My Hands

Working and giving involves my hands. Our 4-H leader
offers us opportunities for community volunteering each year.
Community service projects have always been part of my Girl Scout
experience, too.

The basis of these projects was giving, either specific items or
our time and effort. We had projects to help less fortunate
people through the local homeless shelter and emergency food
bank.

I’ve learned to work together with my peers. We always feel good
about ourselves after a job well done.

My Health

Learning through the successes and failures of competition, my
understanding of my strengths and weaknesses heightened my
self-concept. Through social interaction with other 4-H’ers, I
gained self-confidence. Through teamwork and community service, I
enhanced my feelings of self-worth.

These experiences together have helped me build a positive
self-esteem, making my health and healthy living
better.

My family, friends and teachers all say 4-H has been a positive
influence for me. I know this to be true.

I know how to organize materials for a project now, and I’m
comfortable giving oral presentations. This is a great help in my
schoolwork.

I’ve gained social confidence and am comfortable in many
situations. This should help me make wise choices when confronted
by peer pressure to participate in risky behavior.

While I strive to be the best I can be, 4-H is the vehicle to
help “make the best better” every day.