4-H’ers win first place in national competition

WAYNE COUNTY, Miss. -- A team of Mississippi 4-H’ers brought home a first-place award this summer in a national wildlife habitat management competition.

The three-member team competed in the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program contest in Milford, Iowa, July 31-Aug. 2. They earned their spot in the national contest after placing first at 4-H Club Congress earlier in the summer.

Ray Henderson, Wayne County 4-H volunteer leader who coached the team with his wife, Jennifer, said the team put in several months of work before winning the state and national competitions.

“We’ve been studying since last September getting ready for both of these competitions,” Henderson said. “We spent hours studying habitat and how to manage and improve it for all different kinds of wildlife.”

Team members Ashlyn Henderson, Karolina Heathcock and Jalyn Cochran competed against 10 other 4-H teams in four events: wildlife management plan, oral reasoning for the management plan, wildlife challenge, and wildlife management practices.

Ashlyn Henderson and Karolina Heathcock also earned individual awards -- Henderson as high-scoring individual and Heathcock as second high-scoring individual.

The national contest also provides experiential learning before the contest begins. Participants toured the grounds of the contest site to observe prairie sites, identify fish and aquatic plant species, and more. 

Team members belong to the Wayne County 4-H Conservation Explorers Club.

The National Wildlife Habitat Education Program, or WHEP, teaches 4-H and FFA members wildlife and fisheries habitat management through hands-on experiences. Participants learn about wildlife habitat, wildlife terms and concepts, judging wildlife habitat quality, wildlife habitat management practices and wildlife damage management.

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Mississippi 4-H’ers earn Congressional Awards

RAYMOND, Miss. -- Mariah Malone was among 57 Mississippi 4-H’ers to receive the highest honor given to youth civilians by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The Aug. 6 Congressional Award ceremony marks the 25th anniversary of the partnership between the Congressional Award Program and the Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H Youth Development Program.

Each 4-H’er received a gold, silver or bronze certificate and medal for their personal, goal-oriented achievements through the Congressional Award Program. Some participants also received STEM Star Awards for participating in one or more science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities while working toward their Congressional Award.

Malone, a 4-H member in Oktibbeha County and aspiring robotics engineer, volunteered with a middle school robotics team and helped them reach some goals of their own.

“In the 7th grade, I was on the same robotics team, and we didn’t have anyone who knew about robotics to volunteer to help us,” Malone said. “So I wanted to help them learn about it and do well in competition. They placed first in state competition and made it all the way to the national competition in Arkansas.”

The awards were presented by former U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper at the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson.

“These young people are really bright,” Harper said. “We are proud that they have taken the opportunity to participate in this program. These accomplishments are not only important to them now, but they mean a lot when they begin to apply to colleges, for scholarships, internships and jobs.”

Unable to make the ceremony in person, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker congratulated the recipients virtually.

“You didn’t just receive this award. You earned it through your commitment and determination to reach your goals,” Wicker said. “We are proud of you and the parents, grandparents and others in your life who encouraged you along the way. Congratulations and keep it up!”

Eligibility for the Congressional Award is open to all young people between the ages of 13.5 and 23 who want to set goals for themselves in four program areas: personal development, physical fitness, voluntary public service, and expedition and exploration. The age- and ability-appropriate activities foster responsibility and help young people practice planning and organizational skills.

Linda Mitchell, head of the Extension Center for 4-H Youth Development, said the program complements the goals of 4-H well.

“In 4-H, we work to grow leaders, and this program is a great way to offer young people more opportunities to participate in experiential learning, leadership and community engagement,” said Mitchell, who also serves on the Congressional Award Board of Directors. “I am proud of all these young people, and I know you can look at them here today and see future leaders.”

Mississippi currently has more than 400 active participants in the award program. The 57 participants recognized Aug. 6 devoted over 23,900 hours to voluntary public service, over 15,900 hours to personal development, and over 9,200 hours to physical fitness. They also participated in numerous in-person and virtual expedition and exploration activities.

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Mitchell named 4-H center director

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A Mississippi State University Extension Service administrator with more than 30 years of experience in youth education has been selected to lead Mississippi’s 4-H program.

Linda Mitchell has been named director of 4-H Youth Development, logging her first official day at the helm July 1. She served more than two years as interim director of the program. Since Mitchell was also the Extension coordinator for the Northeast region, she will retain those duties on an interim basis during the search for her replacement in that role.

In 1993, Mitchell began her career with Extension in Union County where she was a family and consumer science agent and 4-H agent.

Mitchell has served as an Extension home economist, 4-H agent and a district director. Prior to becoming the regional Extension coordinator, she served as a state 4-H specialist in Mississippi, working at the Starkville campus and at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona.

“Dr. Mitchell’s experience, passion, and local and institutional knowledge of Mississippi 4-H has no peer,” said Steve Martin, interim director for MSU Extension. “She brings a level of expertise and professional judgment that will serve MSU Extension well, and we are thankful for her continued leadership.”

For more information on the MSU Extension Service and 4-H, visit http://extension.msstate.edu/4-h/join-4-h.

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