Posted in Homeschool Happenings
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Okay, so you're not all really my kids, but when you spend a whole weekend with somebody, you think of them as yours. I just love you kids and I love being a volunteer. You make it enjoyable! AG, loved the dancin', girl! CB, you'll get that high note next time!
Anyway, I just have to say "Oh yes! DPA has come and gone until next year!" I don't say this in a bad way. It's just that this can be very intense, especially when you've got four of your own kids working on projects. I will say it is both exhausting and exhilerating.
If you've never been in 4-H and have no clue what DPA is, just Google it. In a nutshell, kids in grades 5-12 work in a chosen project area all year and prepare a demonstration to present in front of judges. The 5th and 6th (Cloverleafs) graders are separate from grades 7-12 (juniors/seniors). The junior-senior kids must also keep up with all activities associated with their project during the year, as well as community service, helping and sharing, and such as that. They take all of this information and prepare a portfolio with pictures to turn in sometime in January. This accounts for 50% of their overall score. The junior-senior projects generally include a 12-minute talk about their project. For instance, one of my sons picked Target Sports as his project area. His actual project ended up being "Gun Safety in the Home". He and his sister prepared 5 posters and I helped him put together a 12-minute speech on gun safety in the home. My other son chose Workforce Preparation for his project area. He spoke on and prepared posts talking about Law Enforcement Exploring.
Not all projects require a prepared demonstration like my sons had to do. One of my daughters entered performing arts vocal and the other entered a food lab project area called Better Breakfast. In performing arts, you have a set amount of time to sing (4 minutes) and is generally one of the more popular project areas. In fact, my daughter competed against 12 or 13 other students this weekend. In the food lab, my other daughter had to prepare a nutricious breakfast.
One of the most exciting parts for the juniors and seniors is getting to spend Friday night til Sunday morning at the 4-H compound/camp. They are usually wired when we get there, and this weekend didn't prove any different even though we had to get up at 6:00 to get ready for breakfast. Some of the kids had to present their projects as early as 8:30.
I was a nervous wreak, y'all, and didn't sleep so well myself! This was the first time for three of my four kids to be there. And it was the first time my boys had given a demonstration in front of judges. Even though they are twins, one is more outgoing than the other, so I wasn't too concerned for him. But the other one, well, he's more like his daddy and he doesn't like getting up in front of folks too much. I got to watch them both and they did a great job. They tried very hard to keep eye contact with the judges while still referring to their notes.
All in all, it was a good weekend and the kids did a great job. DD1/Senior 4-H'er received 3rd place for her performance of "So Glad You Did" by the Jody Brown Family. From what the PC from the Extention office told us, this is a big deal since there are so many in that category and we've not had anyone win in that area in a loooonnnnggg time! Thank you, Lord! He has truly blessed DD1 with an awesome voice. The song she sang gave a powerful testimony of God's love and mercy to us. It actually mentions sin, the cross, demons, angels, and Christ arising from the grave! Praise the Lord!
DD2/Junior 4-H'er received 2nd place for her breakfast burrito and the one-day menu she planned. DS/Twin1/Senior 4-H'er received 3rd place for his demonstration on gun safety. However, DS/Twin 2/Senior 4-H'er didn't place in the top three spots with his demo on LE Exploring.
That's tough stuff on a mama's heart. At first, he said it didn't bother him, but I knew he just didn't want to admit that it did. I talked to him later about it, and I think mostly it was that everyone in the family got something but him. Trying to be an encouraging mom, I told him that he could always improve on his demonstration and try again next year.
Anyway, we're taking it easy today and are already thinking on how we can improve for next year.
Talk to you later!
Julia |
You all did a fantastic job and I'm so proud of you! For those of you I just met this weekend, I enjoyed getting to know you. I hope we'll get to do this again next year!Comments
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