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4-H gives kids a confidence boost

Luke Graham

Sarah Wiseman knows her daughter Brittany will have more self-confidence when she gets back to school.

“If she puts her mind to something she can do it,” she said after her daughter’s rabbit won the round-robin competition. “This proves she can accomplish anything if she wants.”

For many children, 4-H Club provides many learning skills that school sometimes doesn’t.



Brittany said that when she goes back to school, she will have her priorities in order.

“When you have something to do that is really important, you might want to do it before you play,” the 9-year-old said. “Work before play.”



After winning a belt buckle, Brittany said she will have more drive when she goes back in the fall.

“If I want something, I can find a way to get there,” she said. “(4-H) gives you more confidence. You don’t get nervous.”

Her mom agreed.

“I think the kids themselves get a little more confidence in themselves,” she said.

The elder Wiseman said 4-H also has taught her daughter sportsmanship and how to get along with others whether in groups large or small.

The biggest part for Frank Kowcak was the responsibility his three daughters gained from 4-H.

“It teaches you a lot of responsibility,” he said. “It gives them something out there that is not in school.”

His oldest daughter, Brittni, said when she got to college she was amazed at how little people knew about the agricultural industry.

“A lot of kids don’t know about the industry,” she said, recalling a friend in college who thought milk came from the store. “I explained it to her … and she had a lot more questions.”

Dealing with record books in 4-H also taught Brittni how to keep her finances organized.

“It helped her develop an accounting system,” Frank said.

According to Frank Kowcak the 4-H’ers can learn from the animals.

“A lot that they can learn from animals, they can relate to people,” he said.

An essential lesson Frank recalled of his daughters learning in 4-H, was letting go. Several weeks ago, one of his daughter’s horses died and although it was sad, it taught her a valuable lesson, he said.

“It was ugly, but they have to learn to make it,” he said.

For Sarah Wiseman, her daughter’s victory showed her just how much 4-H can teach children.

“Today, she said, “it proved her confidence to me in herself.”


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