Teen To Represent State At National 4-H
LOU ANN GOOD
Lancaster Fanning Staff
DUNGANNON (Perpr Co.)
Seventeen-year-old Judi Mains is
packing her bags for the National
4-H Contest
It’s quite an honor for this high
school senior as she is Pennsylva
nia’s only representative to the
National 4-H Fashion Revue.
It took Judi almost 10 years of
4-H participation to earn this spot
in the sun or should we say in the
“windy city” since the 4-H Nation
al Congress is held in Chicago.
To win her spot as the state rep
resentative, Judi not only was
involved in numerous events but
also kept a detailed record of all
her activities since she first joined
4-H as an 8-year-old.
It is the “blue form,” on which
“every project, every activity, I
ever did is recorded,” Judi said.
Based on this written account and
an individual interview, Judi and
one 4-H’er from the other repre
sented states are determined.
It was the second year in a row
that Judi was called for an inter
view. Although she was not cho
sen as a national representative last
year, Judi was honored just to be
selected for an interview.
“Most are freshman in college
before they are chosen,” Judi said.
She credits her diligence in
keeping a written record from the
beginning as the aspect that gave
her the edge over other contes-
As 4-H leader, Jgdl’s mother oversees Judi’s sewing
Toms are soma of the ribbons that Judl has collected from her many 4-H projects.
tants. Applicants earn a possible
16S points for the blue form and 35
for the interview.
’Too many (applicants) wait six
years and then try to recall every
thing they did. That doesn’t work,”
Judi said.
Although Judi sometimes wear
ied of writing down everything,
her parents, Donald and Miriam,
who are both 4-H leaders, con
tinued to encourage her.
“My mother taught me to finish
my projects, participate, and not
quit,” she said.
A brief synopsis of Judi’s 4-H
involvement reveals nine years of
clothing and textile projects; nine
years of food nutrition; projects in
crochet, knit, cross stitch, quilting,
adopt-a-tree, forestry, fitness, and
much more.
For many of the clubs, Judi has
served as a teen leader.
Becky Kaucher, Peny County
4-H Extension agent, said, “Judi is
a very enthusiastic, caring indivi
dual. Judi spends time with young
members. She is a well rounded
individual who is active in a varie
ty of different experiences.”
Judi is a member of the Duncan
non Cloverleaf 4-H and the Perry
County Senior Exchange County
Council. She believes 4-H gives
more hands-on experience than
school. In fact, her school home
economics teacher used her as an
aide because some of the students
could not control the sewing
machine.
Speech class in school was an
easy course for Judi since 4-H had
taught her and offered her many
opportunities to speak.
As a senior, Judi is focusing on
college. Originally she had been
focusing on a career in physical
therapy but now is looking toward
becoming a recreational therapist
for the mentally retarded or the
elderly. She has been volunteering
at a local hospital to see how she
likes it
In the past, Judi has run in cross
country and winter track. She aver
aged five to seven miles of running
daily, but last year, she suffered a
leg injury that still requires a shint
splint and has required her to give
up running for life. Now. Judi is
team manager and tapes everyone
else’s injuries.
She also manages Junior Girls’
Basketball and is yearbook staff
editor. She is proud that the school
yearbook competed for state and
national awards.
“I want shots of teachers who do
funny things,” Judi said.
She is also a member of Math
Club, French Club, and SADD.
She is a member of marching and
concert bands and her church’s
choir.
In studies, Judi said that she
excells in biology and history but
gets some help with math.
Community involvement has
included planting and maintaining
flowers at public buildings, visit
ing nursing homes, walking for
pledges for the area food pantry,
and baking birthday cakes for
youth in a local detention center.
With all these activities, doesn’t
Judi ever get tired?
She said, “Sometimes fwlsh
that I wasn’t as busy. But it gives
me a good feeling to do well in
things that I try.”
Becoming a national representa
tive to the 4-H Congress was a
long-time goal that Judi held.
Although she has competed in
many fashion revues, she will not
compete when she goes to Nation
al 4-H. She needed to complete a
white form that is now being
judged for that event
Judi said that scoring was
changed some years ago to keep a
member from making only one
great outfit and then getting a trip
to national competition. The award
is now based on a composite of the
member’s activities.
At the National Congress, six
$l,OOO scholarships will be
awarded.
Judi Mains models her latest 4-H project made for 4-H
Fashion Revue. she will represent Pennsylvania at the
National 4-H Cohgriss. •' 1
“I enjoy the opportunities 4-H should try it.”
offers.” Judi said. “It really helped Judi has two older sisters, Cath
me become a good speaker and leen and Karen, and a younger sis
helps built self-esteem. Every Idd ter Jacki, IS.
b uf
What’s 4-H Got Cooking?
NEWARK, Del. Delaware 342 recipes, is available for purch
-4-H Favorites, a cookbook with •» from individual 4-H members,
recipes from 4-H members, lead- at ,I ® B, *" d businesses through
crs, alumni and friends, is now on slate and at community
sale. According to Joy Sparks, ev « nts - fairs ,nd fall festivals.
4-H state program coordinator. Coast °>y- For more
this fund-raising project is mform ation. contact your local
expected to bring $30,000 in new club <* “ u your county4-H
funds to local and state 4-H gf? - * ent County. (302)
programs. 697-4000; New Castle County,
The cookbook, which contains )£O2) 1 1 SuMCX Coul,ty ’
\&J£) o 50-7303.