WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Eleven Indiana 4-H'ers have been selected to attend the 1997 annual National 4-H Congress in Memphis, Tenn.
The congress encourages 4-H youths to learn new leadership skills and experience multi-cultural events and ideas. The participants will attend and play an active role in a nationally televised town meeting, as well as perform a day of community service.
The National Congress will be from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. Atlanta is the host city for the 1998 Congress.
The following are the 1997 National 4-H Congress winners:
Dearborn County Amanda Weaver
Henry County Amy Sarah
Howard County Amanda Freeman
Monroe County Belinda Baynes
Owen County Kurt Curry
Putnam County Kristen Archer
Tippecanoe County Ryan Sipple
Vanderburgh County Tiffany Hodge
Warren County Amanda Greenwood
Warrick County Jason Kinman and Deidra Potts
According to Bob Ritchie, associate professor of 4-H youth at Purdue University, the day of community service is one of the most important events of the congress. Youths at past 4-H Congress meetings have helped plant trees in city parks and made coats for the homeless. This year, the 4-H members will spend some time with Memphis volunteer agencies.
"Kids from 4-H, from all the states, go out in the city of Memphis and assist 35 to 40 service agencies. To me, it's one of the most outstanding things they do," he said.
4-H is the largest youth-serving organization in the country. It is a volunteer-led organization that reaches youths through a variety of programs in both rural and urban settings. In Indiana, 4-H is part of the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service.
CONTACT: Ritchie, (765) 494-8439; e-mail, bob_ritchie@four-h.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu