4-Hers Recognized for Communication Skills

June 6, 2014 Leave a comment


Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

Several area 4-Hers competed and received awards at the Northeast Regional

4-H Public Speaking Contest held on May 22, 2014 at the Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk, Nebraska.

Fifty-eight youth from 17 counties throughout the state competed in their respective age division in the 2014 Regional 4-H Speech competition.  Additionally, twenty-eight contestants from nine counties in the northeast district competed in their respective age division in the 2014 Regional 4-H Public Service Announcement (PSA) competition.

4-H members earn the opportunity to participate in regional competition by winning their age division at the county level.  Contestants may compete in one or both categories and are awarded purple, blue, or red awards in recognition of their accomplishments in speech or PSA. In addition, the top four individuals in each division received medals.  The four winners of the senior division speech and PSA competition are given the opportunity to compete for awards at the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest to be held in Grand Island during the Nebraska State Fair.  All youth competing in state competition and staying for awards will receive special awards. The top two speech and PSA winners in State 4-H Public Speaking Contest receive scholarships.

A 4-H Interview Skills Contest was also held which had contestants choose one of three potential jobs, fill out an application for the job, create a resume and then take part in an interview for the position. Cody Bachtell of Tekamah took part in this contest and received a purple ribbon and 4th place medal in the Intermediate Division.

Public Speaking Contest
Junior Division:

Elise Anderson, Lyons, Blue
Arianne Brokaw, Lyons, Blue

Caleb Schlichting, Lyons, Red

Intermediate Division:

Top Four Winner: Rayna Hladky, Tekamah, Purple
Ribbon Placings:
Brayden Anderson, Lyons, Purple
Layne Miller, Lyons, Purple

Public Service Announcement Contest

Junior PSA: Ribbon Placings:
Andrew Schlichting, Lyons, Blue
Caleb Schlichting, Lyons, Blue

Intermediate PSA: Ribbon Placing
Cody Bachtell, Tekamah, Blue

Senior PSA: Ribbon Placing

Amelia Schlichting, Lyons, Blue

Public speaking is a communication with many career possibilities.  Present 4-H members and 4-H alumni have identified communication skills as some of the most important life skills gained through their 4-H experience.  The Nebraska State 4-H communication program is sponsored by the Nebraska Rural Radio Network, which includes KRVN, KNEB, and KTIC.  The Northeast Regional contest is conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension with support from Northeast Community College.

 

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

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Suddenly It’s Summer

May 31, 2014 Leave a comment


The heat, the humidity, the kids out of school and wondering what to do?
Check out these great ideas to get the kids out and about having fun and actively learning this summer! 4-H teens can volunteer to help out at any of these activities to make their summer full of leadership experiences…and fun too of course!

 

Aquaculture & Fishing Workshop – June 16 – Fremont

Are you curious about aquaculture? Love fishing? Then the Aquaculture & Fishing Workshop is for you!

This workshop will be led by Dodge County 4-H’er Jessica Shonka and is part of the 4-H Ag Innovators Experience – Fish Farm Challenge, presented by Monsanto, which aims to make agriscience relevant and fun for youth ages eight to 18. The workshop will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Office in Dodge County (1206 W. 23rd Street, Fremont, NE) on Monday, June 16 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Registration forms and a $10 participant fee (covering lunch and refreshments) are due by Wednesday, June 11. Participants will learn the importance of aquaculture and how it is a way to feed the people of the world. They will also work on a 4-H project focusing on the life cycles of different fish. Participants enrolled in 4-H within their perspective counties will be able to exhibit the 4-H project in Conservation/Wildlife – Class 3, Fish Display OR Class 5, Wildlife Connections. To register contact the UNL Extension Office in Dodge County at 402-727-2275 or in Burt County at 402-374-2929.

 

Experiment with Color Composition Workshop- Tuesday, June 17 – Oakland

Artist and former art teacher, Jan Cline-Zimmerman of Creative Connections in Oakland has agreed to share her skills with our 4-H members. We discussed several REALLY COOL ideas for the workshop and she is working out the details. Whatever we do, you won’t be disappointed in your finished product! The workshop will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 17 at her studio on Main Street in Oakland. The regular cost of the session is $14.00, including a mat for the picture, but Burt County 4-H members can attend for $7.00 thanks to the Burt County 4-H Council’s support. Call the UNL Extension Office at 402-374-2929 to register. Don’t wait…there is only room for 15 or so for this workshop! Registration deadline is June 11.

 

 

Making Money Camp – Thursday & Friday, June 19-20 – Oakland

Learn what it takes to create products and services to start and run your own business. Youth, ages 10-14 will learn entrepreneurial thinking and skills using business and marketing principles. Camp fee is $25, but only $12.50 for Burt County 4-H members thanks to the 4-H Council’s support. Registration deadline is Wednesday, June 11.

 

Patriotic T-Shirt Workshop – Tuesday, June 24 – Oakland

Bring a pre-washed t-shirt and go home with a patriotic masterpiece you can wear on the 4th of July and exhibit at the fair! 4-H members of any age can take this opportunity to create a unique and beautiful T-shirt during this workshop. The workshop fee is $5.00, but Burt County 4-H members may attend for only $2.50 thanks to the 4-H Council. Jan Cline-Zimmerman of Creative Connections in Oakland is presenting this workshop. She is also offering a $3.00 smoothie special for the day! So bring a little extra cash in case you get thirsty! The workshop will be held at Creative Connections on the South end of Main Street in Oakland from 1:00-2:30 p.m. and bring a shirt! Registration deadline is June 19. Call 402-374-2929 to sign up.

 

Acrylic Painting Workshop with ”Let’s Paint Run Aways” – Thursday, June 26

Don’t miss out on this great acrylic painting workshop! We’ve had this group help us step by step through the painting process for 10 years. Connie has promised new ideas for her painting ideas, so be prepared to get excited! The workshop will be held in the

4-H Kitchen on the Fairgrounds in Oakland from 9:00-Noon on Thursday, June 26. The workshop cost will be $28/painter or $35 with a frame. However Burt County 4-H members may attend for half price in the Burt County location. If they choose to attend one of the other county sessions they will need to pay that county’s full price. Registration deadline is June 19.

Other dates and locations are:

*Cuming County – Tuesday, June 24 – 9:00 a.m.

*Colfax County – Tuesday, June 24 – 2:00 p.m.

*Saunders County – Wednesday, June 25 – 9:00 a.m.

*Washington County – Wednesday, June 25 – 1:30

 

4-H Clover Kid Camp (ages 5-7) – Tuesday, July 1

Camp will become real to our youngest 4-H members at the 2nd Annual Clover Kid Camp! This fun morning or afternoon will be filled with activities, games and projects! Campers may choose from the morning session which runs from 9:00-Noon or the afternoon session from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Activities will be the same at both sessions. The 4-H Clover Kid Camp will be held on the Burt County Fairgrounds in Oakland, mainly centered in the 4-H Building. Camp registration is $20 (Only $10.00 since the 4-H Council will cover the other half of your registration.) Activities will include tin punch, no-sew pillow, nutritious snacks and much more still in the planning!  Registrations are due June 25. Teen counselors are also needed for this fun day so call in and volunteer and make some great young friends!

 

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

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Pearson Demonstrates Robot

May 30, 2014 Leave a comment


Miles Pearson of Oakland proudly demonstrated his robot as it follows the black tape line and parks in the “garage” just like he programmed it to do during the Razzle Dazzle Robotics Camp last week. The robotics workshop was conducted by UNL Extension Educator, Carroll Welte assisted by summer intern, Nick Bohannon.

Miles Pearson of Oakland proudly demonstrated his robot as it follows the black tape line and parks in the “garage” just like he programmed it to do during the Razzle Dazzle Robotics Camp last week. The robotics workshop was conducted by UNL Extension Educator, Carroll Welte assisted by summer intern, Nick Bohannon.

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Weitzenkamp and Ruwe Sort Through Robot Pieces

May 30, 2014 Leave a comment


Trevor Weitzenkamp of Oakland and Isaac Ruwe of Tekamah sort through hundreds of little Lego pieces to correctly assemble their NXT Mindstorm robot at the UNL Extension sponsored robotics camp held last week in Tekamah. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis, Extension Assistant.

Trevor Weitzenkamp of Oakland and Isaac Ruwe of Tekamah sort through hundreds of little Lego pieces to correctly assemble their NXT Mindstorm robot at the UNL Extension sponsored robotics camp held last week in Tekamah. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis, Extension Assistant.

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Wallerstedt and Richards Assemble Robot

May 30, 2014 Leave a comment


River Wallerstedt and Luke Richards both of Oakland, work together to correctly assemble this NXT robot at the Razzle Dazzle Robotics Camp last week in the Tekamah Auditorium. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis

River Wallerstedt and Luke Richards both of Oakland, work together to correctly assemble this NXT robot at the Razzle Dazzle Robotics Camp last week in the Tekamah Auditorium. Photo Credit/Mary Loftis

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School’s Out! Let the 4-H Specialty Camp Fun Begin

May 21, 2014 Leave a comment


School’s out! Let the 4-H Specialty Camp Fun Begin!

 

Sign up today for two of Burt County’s popular 4-H camp!

Razzle Dazzle Robotics camp is geared for youth ages 8-12 who want to design, build and program NXT Mindstorm Robots. The workshop enhances youth critical thinking and problem solving skills using science, engineering and math concepts. Razzle Dazzle Robotics will be held next Tuesday, May 27 through Friday, May 30 from 9:00-Noon at the Tekamah City Auditorium. The workshop fee is $20.00 Registration deadline for this workshop is this Friday, May 23 at 4:30 p.m.

 

Making Money Camp is geared for youth ages 10-14 who want to create products and services and run their own business in the future. This workshop enhances youth entrepreneurial thinking and skills using business and marketing principles. The Making Money Camp will be held June 19-20 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Burt County Fairgrounds in Oakland. The workshop fee is $25 and the registration deadline is June 16th.

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

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Burt County Public Speaking Contest

April 26, 2014 Leave a comment


By Mary Loftis, Extension Assistant

4-H Clover Kids (ages 5-7) shared information on a Show and Tell item as part of the Burt County Public Speaking Contest last week.

Participants included: John Roscoe, Linden Anderson, Tate Penke, Miriel Brokaw, Hope Roscoe, Veona Hladky and Eli Schlichting.

Not available for the photo were: Karley Eriksen and Madeline Pearson of Craig and Kinsley McCormick of Omaha.

Photo Credit Mary Loftis.

Photo Credit Mary Loftis.

 

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Still Time for 4-H Foods Contest

April 21, 2014 Leave a comment


Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

Don’t miss out on being part of the most beautiful and delicious 4-H contest in Burt County! It’s the 4-H Favorite Foods Contest and it will be held this Saturday, April 26 at the Fire Hall in Craig. Set up for the contest begins at 9:45 a.m. with the contest itself beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Three division of the contest are available, so every 4-H member has the best opportunity to do well in it.

Here’ what you need to participate:

  1. Call the UNL Extension office in Burt County by noon this Friday, April 25 to pre-register for the contest.
  2. Favorite Food – pick a favorite food of yours and make it for the contest. If you need to reheat or prepare it in some way there is a microwave, stove, oven and refrigerator/freezer available. You will also need a copy of the recipe to put on your table.
  3. Plan a menu around your favorite food. Try to include all the different food groups and keep nutrition in mind as you plan the menu.
  4. Plan and set a table to present your favorite food to the judge. If you are making an oriental stir fry you might want to set a “table” on the floor. Otherwise we offer half of an 8 foot table to allow space for a tablecloth or placemat, centerpiece and a place setting including dishes and silverware for one guest (the judge). You will need to set the table yourself as this is part of the contest experience. (Mom or Dad can help you carry things in, but then you’re on your own.) If you want to dress special for your table theme you are welcome to do that…such as wearing pajamas for a sleep-over with your friends.
  5. Visit with the judge. This is really the fun part where you can tell your guest (the judge) about your favorite food, the menu you planned, how it provides for nutritional needs and how you would make sure everything was ready to serve when you planned to start your meal. You only have to make your favorite food, not the whole menu for the contest. The judge also gets to sample it so you can serve it as on a plate to her, or if a casserole type dish, just serve her some, or let her take what she would like.
  6. The VERY BEST PART of the contest is when we all get to sample ALL the great food everyone prepared. I call this our “4-H Smorgasbord”! It’s a great time to find out how much everyone likes your favorite food, even more than you do!

 

Take it to the next level!

A new area of the contest is the State Fair eligible 4-H Foods Event. This is like our regular Favorite Foods Contest with just a couple changes.

First of all a team of two work together on the favorite food and presentation together.

Secondly, the must incorporate the “challenge ingredient” into either their favorite food or their menu. The “challenge ingredient” this year is corn.

The team does a presentation to the judge about their food, table, menu, etc.

Finally they must incorporate some type of technology in their presentation. This could be showing a video of them preparing the food, using an i-pad for their menu and recipe or some other fun way to use technology.

Burt County can have four teams selected to present their favorite food at the “Pilot – 4-H State Fair Foods Event” on Saturday, August 23rd at the State Fair in Grand Island. Check it out and you might be the first from Burt County to compete at this new State Fair contest!

Don’t miss out on the fun; call the Extension Office at 402-374-2929 to get registered by Friday, April 25th at noon. If you have any questions, please call and ask!

 

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

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Spring 4-H Bounty

April 18, 2014 Leave a comment


 It’s spring and that means a bounty of spring 4-H activities are on the agenda.  Here’s a quick rundown you can transfer to your family activity calendar so you don’t miss anything. If you have any questions or need to pre-register please call UNL Extension in Burt County at 402-374-2929.

 

Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

Monday, April 21: 4-H Public Speaking Contest, Noon pre-registration deadline or will be dropped a ribbon. The contest will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Presbyterian Church in Tekamah.

 

Saturday, April 26: 4-H Favorite Foods Contest, Pre-entry due by Noon, Friday, April 25. The contest will be held at the Craig Fire Hall with setup at 9:45 a.m. and judging at 10:00 a.m.

 

Saturday, May 3: 4-H Bicycle Rodeo, Pre-entry due by Noon, Friday, May 2.  At least 3 participants must be registered to hold this contest. The contest will be held in the First Evangelical Lutheran Church parking lot in Oakland right off Hwy 77 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

 

Thursday, May 22 – Tagging Day for all sheep, goats, feeder and bucket calves. Tagging and ID sheets will be completed at the Burt County Fairgrounds from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Please bring $1.00 per 4-H tag needed. FFA tags need to be obtained from your FFA advisor. If you are unable to attend you may purchase 4-H ear tags in the Extension office, tag your own animals and have the ID sheet checked by having John or Mary verify the information by driving the animals to the Burt County Courthouse before the June 1 identification deadline. Please call the UNL Extension office at: 402-374-2929 to make sure someone is available to check your animals before you make a special trip to town with them.

 

Thursday, May 22: Regional Speech Contest, Norfolk or Lincoln for those who qualify at the county contest.

 

Tuesday- Friday, May 27-30: Robotics Camp –9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Designed for youth ages10-12. Registration fee $20 (Burt County 4-H members only pay $10.) The camp will be held at the Tekamah Auditorium in Tekamah.

 

Monday, June 2 – Deadline day to have all 4-H and FFA ID sheets in Extension Office, as well as 4-H enrollment and project forms completed and returned to the office. Call 402-374-2929 if you have any project changes you would like to make.

 

Not involved with the 4-H program yet?  We can fix that! Give us a call at the UNL Extension Office in Burt County at 402-374-2929. We don’t want anyone to miss out on any of the bounty of 4-H spring activities.

 

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

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4-H Speech Workshops Held

April 4, 2014 Leave a comment


Two 4-H Speech and Public Service Announcement (PSA) Workshops were held last week providing some outstanding results. Seven Burt County 4-H members and their parents attended sessions in Tekamah and Lyons.

These workshops have become one of my favorite activities each year. The 4-H members come in all stages of preparation…some with NO idea what they could talk about, others with a good rough draft and a couple had their speeches prepared and they presented them to me for suggestions.

I sat down with each 4-H member and we started from wherever they were in preparing for the contest. For those that had no idea what to talk about, we brainstormed ideas. We talked about the different projects they took, good and bad things that had happened, and what kind of speech they wanted to give.  Most often we tried to work a little humor into their speech, because we all like to laugh and it makes the audience remember their speech.

Other individuals had a good idea about their topic, but needed to add more “meat” to the speech. Together we worked on ideas to beef up their topic in order to meet the time requirements.

Mary Loftis

Mary Loftis

In a few cases the 4-H member was ready to read their speech to me. WOW! This was almost 3 weeks ahead of the contest!  In these cases I praised their good information and helped them power up their introductions, provide different points to their speech (which were already there, but just needed uncovering) and wrapped it all together with a good conclusion.

Seeing their faces come alive with excitement at how a few little changes made so much difference in their speech made the whole night worthwhile.

Another highlight of the workshop was during brainstorming sessions. We’re tossing out ideas, trying to come up with additional information for part of a 4-H member’s speech. As we’re talking out loud, other 4-H members and parents in the room piped up with great suggestions so in the true 4-H motto fashion we were all working together “To Make the Best Better!”

Presentation skills were also discussed with the 4-H members, reminding them to use their voices and speak out loud and clear as they would be talking in a large room, with no microphone. All their efforts would be wasted if their audience didn’t hear their speech. Using good gestures was also emphasized as they make any speech come alive.

Preparations for the PSA contest included reminders to use the “Making a Lasting Impact” theme in their 4-H PSA as well as the UNL Extension tag line. Pacing their speaking rate, emphasis on important words and correct use of sound effects were other topics covered. The 4-H members will use a microphone from the back of the room during the PSA contest as it is a “radio style public service announcement.”

I reminded several 4-H members to pause during their speech and/or PSA…to let what they said sink in with their audience before they started off on another thought.

I can’t wait to see these 4-H members at the 4-H Public Speaking Contest and find out what directions they went with their topics and preparations.

If you have a 4-H member you’d like to encourage to take part in this contest and you’d like some extra help, please give me a call at 402-374-2929 and we’ll make arrangements to make that happen.

The 4-H Public Speaking Contest is Monday, April 21 at the Tekamah Presbyterian Church starting at 6:30, so there is still time to write and learn a speech or PSA.  The pre-entry deadline for the contest is at noon April 21 so we can make a program for the event. If you know you’re participating…call now so we make sure we have enough judges…and ice cream!

We want all our 4-H members to be able to speak with great success by participating in the 4-H Public Speaking Contest.

 

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Assistant
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

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