4-H- PLYMOUTH SHAMROCKS – September 2009

The Plymouth Shamrocks 4-H Club has been active in community service, fair exhibiting, participating in 4-H trips and learning about new projects.

Last year one member participated in two 4-H trips. Ashley Doebert attended the 2009 Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., as a counselor. Doebert was chosen to attend this year’s camp as a counselor through an application and interview process by the state 4-H office. As a counselor, Doebert was in charge of helping new campers have a successful experience. Part of the responsibility as a counselor included helping other counselors present information about the camp to new campers at a workshop in Madison.

“I would encourage every 4-H member to try out for this experience,” Doebert said. “It is such a great experience. Participants learn about the history of flight and the space program, what it is like to become an astronaut and experience actual rides that simulate various parts of space flight. One ride gives participants a chance to experience the g-forces involved in the shuttle takeoff. You learn about history, the importance of science and technology and you meet great people. It is an experience of a lifetime – one I will never forget.”

Doebert also attended the State 4-H Convention in Madison. She attended several different workshops including horse and sheep judging and international 4-H travel experiences. Doebert is hoping to represent Sheboygan County on a trip to Norway this summer. She will need to have people and companies sponsor her on this great learning opportunity. On this trip she will share information about her home and the state of Wisconsin, her interests and information about 4-H.

The club participated in numerous events this past year including Enchanted Forest, Music and Drama Festival, the Creative Writing Contest, the Dairy Window display, Dairy Promotion Posters, the 4-H food stand, the 4-H fair booth and Open House.

Community service has always been a major part of the Plymouth Shamrocks. This year the Plymouth Shamrock Community Service activities included, can-tab collections for Angel Hugs, making child abuse posters for Child Abuse Prevention Month, collecting McDonald’s receipts, writing letters to soldiers, helping with Enchanted Forest and the 4-H food stand. Even though the Plymouth Shamrocks is a smaller 4- H group with 11 members, the club is highly active in 4-H events and community service.

Members exhibited in numerous fair project areas. Two members, Joanna Anderson and Ashley Doebert, are part of the 4-H dog project, which involves a huge time commitment. Both Anderson and Doebert also attended and participated in the State 4-H Dog Show this year. Jessica Levsen, a member of the Plymouth Shamrocks, shows dairy cattle. Animal projects show a great deal of commitment on the part of the 4-H member.

Two Shamrock members won a merit in drawing this year at fair. Joanna Anderson did an outstanding job at a self-portrait done in charcoal, which is a difficult media to work with. Ashley Doebert worked on a drawing of a lion cub spending over 25 hours on the drawing done in just pencil.

Club awards were given to Shamrock members for the year’s participation and leadership. The following awards were given:

2008-09 Club Member Awards

Joanna Anderson – VP pin; Dog Pin for efforts in the dog project; Dog Medallion; Leadership Medallion for help with Music & Drama Festival, Club Lock In, Dairy Promotion Window Display, fair booth, and food stand; Achievement Medallion –Merit in drawing, Special Blue in drawing, club activities and events; 4-H Bear for attendance

Jamie Diekow – Achievement Medallion – for help with Music & Drama Festival, Club Lock In, Dairy Promotion Window Display, fair booth, and food stand; 4-H Bear for attendance

Ashley Doebert – President Pin and Meeting Gavel; Secretary Pin; Recorder Pin; Member of the Year plaque; Achievement Medallion – Merit in drawing, Special Blue in scrapbooking; Leadership Medallion – for help with: Music & Drama Festival, Club Lock In, Dairy Promotion Window Display, fair booth, and food stand; Dog Medallion for efforts in showmanship, obedience, and showmanship in the dog project; 4-H Bear for attendance

Emily Levsen – Achievement Medallion – for help with the Dairy Promotion Window Display, fair booth, and food stand; 4-H Bear for perfect attendance

Jacob Levsen – Achievement Medallion – for help with the Club Lock In, Dairy Promotion Window Display, fair booth, and food stand; 4-H Bear for perfect attendance

Awards for 2008-09

Jessica Levsen – Achievement Medallion – 4-H Bear for perfect attendance

Sarah Levsen – Achievement Medallion – for help with the Club Lock In, Dairy Promotion Window Display, fair booth, and food stand

Oliver Woodas – Achievement Medallion

This year’s Plymouth Shamrock officers are Ashley Doebert, president; Joanna Anderson, vice president; Joanna Anderson, secretary; and Jamie Diekow and Ashley Doebert, recorders.

The club has planned an exciting year with several guest speakers for meetings and plans to participate in the Enchanted Forest, the Music and Drama Festival, the dairy promotion, creative writing contest and community service activities.

The club already had one guest speaker, who attended the October meeting. Mr. Rizzi showed Plymouth Shamrock members creative pumpkin carving. He demonstrated how to carve a pumpkin in a bit more untraditional way. Several members tried their hand at using Mr. Rizzi’s tools for pumpkin carving.

Ken Pannier will be coming to the December Shamrock meeting to talk about photography and good photo composition.

The next Shamrock meeting is Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. Club members will be working on a community service project and planning the club Christmas party as well as being amazed by a club demonstration from several members.
Ashley Doebert, club
president and recorder