http://theindependent.com/stories/02192008/fea_mainfeature19.shtml
Plenty of opportunity
Just thought it'd be nice to see some POSITIVE news about kids and firearms.
Plenty of opportunity
By Robert Pore
[email protected]
As Kaleb Browning, 11, of Grand Island (left) loads dummy rounds into a semiautomatic action rifle, Grand Island Rifle Club member Terry Copple of Hastings (right) shows 4-H member Jenna Trumble, 12, of Phillips how to load a shotgun during a recent educational seminar at the club.
4-H member Keaton Shears, 11, of Alda clears dummy shells out of a shotgun during a firearms class at the Grand Island Rifle Club.
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Tom Delka of Doniphan became part of the 4-H program as a Clover Kid when he was 7 years old.
"My mom was in 4-H, and she showed me a bunch of pictures when she was a little kid and active in 4-H," said Delka, who is now 18 years old and a senior at Doniphan/Trumbull High School.
His mom told him that 4-H was a good way to make friends and get involved in the community.
"I was all about making friends and being involved and having a good time, and it looked fun, so I said, 'What the heck, I'm going to have some fun,'" he said.
And for the last 11 years, that's what Delka has been doing having fun, making friends and getting involved in the community as a member of 4-H in Hall County.
With more than 500 members, the 4-H program in Hall County continues to grow and attract young people, said Christy Burnett, Hall County 4-H program coordinator.
February is being observed as Nebraska 4-H Month by youth and volunteers across the state.
Burnett said the Nebraska 4-H Program is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension system's dynamic educational program for today's young people, ages 5 to 19.
For more than 100 years, she said, 4-H has been providing youth with the innovative research and resources from our nation's 106 land-grant universities and colleges.
"The Nebraska 4-H program is the nation's leader in youth participation among those in eligible age groups, reaching nearly 120,000 youth," Burnett said.
She said Hall County 4-H members participate in a number of project areas, including science, engineering and technology programs ranging from robotics and global positioning systems to animal and environmental science.
"With over 157 projects offered in 47 project areas, there really is something for everyone," Burnett said.
Delka is a member of the Happy Hounds 4-H Club in Grand Island and involved with the Doniphan 4-H trap shooting team. With Happy Hounds, Delka works on training and showing his dog.
Delka said 4-H has made a big difference in his life.
"I have met a lot of different and interesting people and made a lot of new friends over the years," he said.
Normally a shy kid, Delka said 4-H has allowed him to develop his leadership skills, along with building his self-esteem and confidence.
"I know how it was when I was little and how I looked up to older kids," he said. "I really wanted to give back and be that leader. I wanted to be there for them and help them to be there for whoever comes next."
Delka hopes to expand his education after high school and explore a career in dentistry.
And 4-H has been a big help in his journey so far. He has learned life skills such as being responsible, working with others, being able to change when change is needed, public speaking and other critical thinking skills.
For Jillian Moravec of Grand Island, a 15-year-old sophomore at Central Catholic High School, 4-H has allowed her to develop her skills in one her favorite pastimes sewing.
She is a member of the Prairie Lads and Lassies 4-H Club. She has been in 4-H since she was 8 years old. Being in 4-H was a natural progression of things for Moravec as her mother, sister and brother were all 4-H members.
Both her mother and sister share Moravec's love of sewing. Her sister is now in college pursuing a career as a fashion designer, thanks to her involvement in 4-H. Her mom also makes a career from sewing for others in the community.
Moravec said her sewing skills have allowed her to make several dresses she has worn at school dances. She has also made a variety of other clothing for herself from pants to swimsuits.
In addition to the 4-H projects, Burnett said, the organization also offers a variety of activities that help young people develop knowledge and skills they may use in their future careers.
"As career areas have changed and expanded, so have 4-H projects," Burnett said. "Along with new project areas, the traditional projects have evolved over time."
From public speaking to presentations, to contests and camps, youth have many opportunities to learn, she said.
"These experiences offer in-depth, hands-on experiences where youth can make new friends who have the same interests," Burnett said.
Along with the more than 500 4-H members, 100 volunteers are involved in Hall County 4-H.
Moravec's 4-H sewing projects have won blue ribbons at the Hall County Fair and allowed her to take her projects on to the Nebraska State Fair.
"Four-H has allowed me to develop my interest in learning new things," Moravec said.
She said 4-H has taught her the skills to focus on the projects she is working on, along with the responsibility to complete the project.
"It has helped me to focus on things I'm doing and to get them done right," Moravec said. "Everybody thinks it pretty neat that I come to dances with dresses I have made."
Just thought it'd be nice to see some POSITIVE news about kids and firearms.
