Perilous Public Speaking
Our club, Little Horse Power, has a requirement that each member does a presentation on either a project that they are completing, a skill that they have, or an interest. Even though I find public speaking somewhat uneventful after I actually start talking, the time before I am standing in front of the audience is simply nerve-wracking. The more activities I do, however, the more I am called upon to talk to audiences. This year, I talked about the medicinal properties of cooking herbs.
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VIce President and Treasurer, Zavier (left), told us all about tornados, what to do during a tornado warning, and how to remain safe during an actual tornado.
Sarah Kate (right) explained the work that is involved in raising rabbits, described different breeds of rabbits, and explained how they differ. |
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Tashara brought in her dog and demonstrated her dog training techniques. She made an intricate poster board in which she described all of the aspects of her activities with the dog program.
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Let the Good Times Roll . . .
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Our former club leader was a part of 4-H for 50 years. One of her many brilliant ideas was to hold an annual carnival to help raise money for 4-H activities. Each club makes or contributes a carnival style booth and then provides club members to staff it. There is healthy competition built into the event because there are awards for the most creative booth. The public gets to weigh in as well by voting with tickets purchased for the games. Most of the games and booths are constructed for older kids, but our club focuses on making sure that the youngest children who attend the fair will have something to do.
This year, we decided to build a Plinko style board. My family purchased most of the materials, and took the initiative to find the plans and construct the game. Fortunately for us, Leslie came by and helped with the painting and the overall design of the board and the tree that was to decorate it. Our theme was a party swamp, and the little kids in the group helped to color fun cartoon swamp animals and insects that we drew. Our older members, particularly Corey helped to finish the Plinko board by adding rubber bands so that our chips would fall down through the pegs without flying off the board. I helped my dad and Leslie with the tree.
This year, we decided to build a Plinko style board. My family purchased most of the materials, and took the initiative to find the plans and construct the game. Fortunately for us, Leslie came by and helped with the painting and the overall design of the board and the tree that was to decorate it. Our theme was a party swamp, and the little kids in the group helped to color fun cartoon swamp animals and insects that we drew. Our older members, particularly Corey helped to finish the Plinko board by adding rubber bands so that our chips would fall down through the pegs without flying off the board. I helped my dad and Leslie with the tree.
Ready to be assembled
Making important fashion decisions
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Painting the background pieces
Building the tree
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PIZZA!!!!
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The night before the carnival, it was time for us to bring all of the different elements together. Zavier and his family go down to Mardi Gras every year, so they brought us a bonanza of fabulous decorations, particularly tons of bead necklaces. I promised I wouldn't ask exactly what they had to do to get all of those necklaces, but I'm sure it was epic. Someone brought cookies and, fueled by sugar, we had the booth built in no time.
Our club had a great carnival. We didn't win any awards, but we made the little kids attending the carnival very happy.