The Good and Bad of State Competition
Last Saturday, July 8, the 4-H State Communications Day was held at the University of Kentucky. Those participating in the event had been named champions in Area Talk Meets and 4-H Demonstrations this past year. Thre were young people from all across Kentucky.
We left Saturday morning about 8 a.m. from Jackson. Verlene Neace, our county 4-H agent, drove a van and my Mom and I decided to ride with her to save on gas. Peyton and his mom also rode down. We arrived about 9:50 and walked to the building where the event would be held. They were set to begin at 10 a.m.
I was supposed to give a talk and also do a demonstration. We found out that I was only registered for one event, the talk meet. We had to rush around to try to get me signed up for the demonstration. They signed me up for one room and then I found out I had to go to another room. Then they told me to go ahead and go upstairs and give my speech. They had already started so we waited until the first speaker finished before we entered the room. We rushed in and Mom gave them my name. I had just sat down and hadn’t even caught my breath when they called my name. I got up front and looked around and just froze. I was going to talk about my nephew Caleb, but I forgot all that I was going to say. I began to just say whatever popped into my head. The speech was supposed to be from 3 to 5 minutes long. I only talked about one minute and finished up. I knew I would not win, (I received a red ribbon.) and I didn’t feel bad about that. I was just surprised that I had forgotten all that I was going to say!
We then went back downstairs and found the correct room. Mom filled out the information and I was told that I would be the last one to do my demonstration. Two people had already finished and we settled back to watch the other students. Thre were 15 demonstrations in this category, “General Foods”. The kids were making all kinds of foods. I really liked the one about caramel apple dip. A young guy dressed as a chef did one on making milkshakes. Another guy showed how to make deer jerky. We got to sample brownies, sugar cookies, and three kinds of cake. Everyone offered the judges a sample and they had to move over another desk to hold all they had to eat. Everyone did a real good job.
Finally it was my turn. I was demonstrating “Sun-bathed S’mores”. I explained how to use a solar oven to make s’mores. I also showed how s’mores could be made using the microwave. I called these “Emergency S’mores”. I set everything up and, thank goodness, I didn’t freeze this time. I went through my demonstration and felt that I had done a pretty good job. I was even able to answer questions from the judges and some other people in the audience. After about three hours it was over. When they handed out the ribbons, it was announced that I had tied for third place. I was very happy to accept the award.
Peyton had done a demonstration in the “Breads” category. He had done a good job and received a blue ribbon. After a stop at Steak and Shake for supper, we headed home, glad that this day was over. I knew how he felt when Peyton said he was glad he would have to make “O’Neil Irish Bread” for a while.
