816-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 18, 2002 State Government Opens Doors For 4-H Members (Continued from Page BIS) Schuylkill County 4-H members visited Harrisburg during this year’s 4-H Capitol Days. Pictured above, from left are: Rep. Bob Allen; 4-members, Crystal Smith and Amber Noecker, both of Auburn; and Sen. James Rhoades. Dauphin County 4-H members at 4-H Capitol Days: Pictured from left: Katherine Summers, legislative assistant to Rep. Ron Marsico; 4-Hers Amanda Platt, Joseph Toole and An juli Johnson; Rep. Mark McNaughton. Centre County 4-H member Erin Homing of Bellefonte, center, met with Rep. Mike Hanna, left, and Rep. Lynn Herman, right, at 4-H Capi tol Days. 4-H Leaders Recognized UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) Adults and youth volunteers from across the state received congratulations for a job well done at the 2002 Pennsylvania 4-H leaders Forum recently at the Nit tany Lion Inn on the Penn State University Park Campus. Berks County’s repre sentatives included: Jac queline Hertzog and Charles Hertzog of Bird sboro, Sandra Shorley and Linda Hausman of Boyer town. Ted Alter, Penn State as sociate vice president for outreach and director or cooperative extension in the College of Agricultural Sciences, delivered the commendations at the event, which featured workshops designed to help adult and teen 4-H leaders to become bet ter teachers and youth counselors. “Volunteer 4-H program leaders serve as educators, mentors, positive role mod els and friends to thou sands of young people throughout the state,” says Robert Lewis, professor of agricultural and extension education and coordinator of the forum. “On average, each 4-H leader gives more than 200 hours of their time each year and makes an important impact on the lives of young children at a time when the involvement of a caring adult or peer can play a critical role in a young person’s ability to make good choices in some very challenging situation. Our 4-H leaders set a won derful example for youth.” Almost 11,000 volun teers are involved in Penn sylvania’s 4-H programs. Each year, these volunteers work with nearly 125,000 rural and urban youth be tween eight and 19 years of age. Workshops at the forum featured information on how leaders can involve youth members in such 4-H programs as computers, animal science, textile sci ence, wildlife and foods. Chester County 4-H members are pictured above while visiting with legislators at the 4-H Capitol Days in Harrisburg. Pictured above, from left: Sen. Robert Thompson; Jose Santiago of West Chester; Thomas Marsh of Honeybrook; Maria Soto of Oxford; and Rep Arthur Hershey. Jefferson County 4-H members Suzanne Ray buck, left, and Tara Neill, right, met with Rep. Sam Smith during the 4-H Capitol Days in Harrisburg. Somerset County 4-H members, Nathaniel Barbera and Leanne Berfcey, attended 4-H Capi tol Days, April 15 and 16. Pictured above from left, seated, Barbera and Berkey; standing: Rep. Dick Hess, Rep. Robert Bastien, and Sen. Rich ard Kasunic. Forest County 4-H member Charlette Stiffler, center, met with Rep. Jim Lynch, left, during 4-H Capitol Days. On the right is Harry Blan che!, Forest County extension agent. Juniata County 4-H members at the 4-H Cap itol Days Jennifer Brackblil, left, and Alexi Raffle, right, with Phil Hoy, Penn State, youth program management director. Lehigh County 4-H members are pictured above while attending 4-H Capitol Days. From left: Bob Soha, Allentown, volunteer 4-H leader; Rachel Rennie, Center Valley; Rep. Paul Sem mel; and Tom McGovern, Emmaus. Bucks County students visited with legisla tors at the 4-H Capitol Days in Harrisburg. Above, from left: Charles Kroll, Melissa Domer, Rep. Paul Clymer, and Jason Radcliff. Snyder County 4-H members at the 4-H Capi tol Days are pictured from left: Maty Aurand, Corinda Varner, Brittany Rice, and Sen. Edward Helfrick. Snyder County 4-H members visited with Rep. Russ Fairchild, left, during the 4-H Capitol Days in Harrisburg. Pictured above from left: Rep. Fairchild, Mary Aurand, Corinda Varner, and Brittany Rice.