12-04-97
By Tom Gentle, 541-737-0801
SOURCE: Duane Johnson, 541-737-1311
CORVALLIS - For 21 Oregon 4-H members, the Thanksgiving holiday brought a dose of Elvis and serious consideration of crucial issues facing youth and communities.
The 4-H members, ranging in age from juniors in high school to college freshmen, attended the 1997 National 4-H Youth Congress in Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 28 to Dec. 2.
The conference each year provides an intense national leadership forum with a cross cultural experience for the participants, according to Duane Johnson, Oregon State University Extension 4-H youth development specialist.
"It's a broadening experience for our young people," Johnson said. "They see another part of the country and meet their counterparts from all over the United States as well as participate in activities that promote personal responsibility and community service."
The centerpiece of the conference was a town hall meeting dealing with how teens can address sex, crime, violence and drug abuse through leadership and action. The town hall was televised nationally by satellite and involved 4-H members across the country.
Another major emphasis for the Oregon delegates was participating in a community service project during the conference. They spent a day working at one of 43 community sites, including an HIV shelter, the Memphis Food Bank, the YWCA Abused Women's Services, and the Memphis Humane Society.
"The 4-H members will use the town hall and the community service experience as a basis for activities after returning home," Johnson said.
The delegates also attended workshops on communicating about agriculture, making career choices, getting involved in politics, and dealing with community issues.
They visited Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, on Saturday evening. Other educational tours include the National Civil Rights Museum, located at the site of the Martin Luther King assassination, and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a charitable facility given national prominence largely through the efforts of the late television comedian, Danny Thomas.
Oregon's 21 delegates were chosen on the basis of their 4-H project achievement, leadership, citizenship and a personal interview. The size of Oregon's delegation depends on private contributions from individuals, businesses and associations to the Oregon 4-H Foundation, Johnson said.
The leader of the Oregon delegation was John Decker of Burns. Abigail Collett, Nehalem, was the Oregon flag bearer at the opening ceremony. Allyson Cummings, Central Point, participated in the Fashion Review, an honor based on her record of leadership, citizenship and accomplishments in 4-H clothing and textile activities. Melanie Bunch, Medford, performed on the piano at several 4-H Congress functions.
Accompanying the Oregon delegation were Dawn Frazier, 4-H leader from Eugene; Suzie Busler, 4-H agent in Lane County; and Johnson.
Names of the 4-H members who attended the conference are:
BURNS John Decker
CENTRAL POINT Kinsy Biskeborn, Allyson Cummings
CORVALLIS Ashley Packard
COTTAGE GROVE Chris Cochrane
ENTERPRISE Brooke Follett
EUGENE Marshall Clement, Danna Magnuson, Laura Saylor
HILLSBORO Tara Coe
MEDFORD Melanie Bunch
NEHALEM Abigail Collett, Kari Mattson
PLEASANT HILL Jennifer Olson
PORTLAND Karl Hein (Zip: 97215)
RAINIER Jessica Villhauer
SCIO Amanda Gerding
SPRAY Jacelyn Keys
TILLAMOOK Janell Alberto, Keriann Shreve
WALLOWA Kyle Johnson
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