Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

4-H O'Rama Held

T-shirts, banners and programs all proclained: "Life is a struggle, a struggle that needs leadership. Follow the Leader -- Follow Me!"

The slogan rallied more than 900 youths and adults competing and attending the Arkansas 4-H O-Rama July 31 and August 1 at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

The Clark County group joined in the competitive activities as well as educational events for 14- through 19-year-old 4-H members.

Arkansas O-Rama participants included 17 youths from Clark County.

4-H members competed in nine events with one winning high point over all the state in his event. Marcus Crawley, son of Jimmy and Terri Crawley of Gurdon, was the high point winner of the Meats Judging Contest. He will go on to compete at the national contect.

Others attending and competing included Bethany Haltom, Leah Lynn, and Michele Golden, who represented the Clark County Home Furnishings Team; Kelli McKinnon, Ashley Goodman, Marcus Crawley and Debbie Jackson, who represented the Clark County Meat Judging Team; Leah Lynn and Justin Thomason, who represented the Clark County Forestry Team; John Michael Thomas represented the County in the bicycle event; Chance Leamons and Derek Helms represented the Clark County Dairy Judging team (competing as individuals); Jerry Wayne Fendley represented Clark Ccounty in the baitcasting event; Paul McMillan represented Clark County in the crop identification event; Bethany Haltom represented Clark County in the ornamental horticulture event; Jacob Harrington represented Clark County in the tractor event; Nicole McMichael represented Clark County in the photography event; and J.D. Buck represented Clark County in the automative event.

4-H'ers enjoyed illusionist Jeff O'Lear, who blended magic and comedy into a positive drug education program. The "We're Going to Change the World Tour" made an impression on the Clark County youth.

A gala recognition program at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale on Wednesday evening celebrated the accomplishments of the 38 state 4-H record book winners and culminated in the naming of the 1996 4-H Governor's Award winner, Tracey Bowen, 19, daughter of Jeannie and Bruce Bowen of Rogers.

4-H activity winners were honored Thursday night at an awards ceremony in Bud Walton Arena, followed by a finale and dance at the Student Union on the Fayetteville campus.

More than 90,000 youths in the state are members of 4-H, according to Dr. Frank Plafcan, state leader of the program.

Anyone interested in joining a 4-H club should contact the local County Extension office at 246-2281.