By Sharon Runion Rowland, Special to the News-Journal
Eight Mitchell County 4-H youth won their state 4-H Presentations in early August, which was the most of any of the 100 North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary of the Cherokee Nation.
At the state competition, there were 315 competitors who researched their topics, created a presentation, designed their slides and practiced in front of family, friends and 4-H members. However, the competition this year was unlike any other in 4-H history.
Because of COVID-19, 4-H’ers had to submit a video of their presentation and their power point slides to the state for judging.
Bringing home the gold were seven girls who demonstrated how to make different foods to promote their nutritional value and delicious taste. Another presenter shared current information on how the medical community is trying to protect themselves from COVID and how the audience can protect themselves as well. All eight girls are members of the Creative Clovers Junior 4-H Club.
Nine-year-old Mylee Chapman competed in the youngest Egg Cookery category and won gold with her Egg-Mazing Sandwich. She asked the age-old question “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” She lives in Spruce Pine with her parents, Kellie and Randall Chapman. Her program is sponsored by the North Carolina Egg Association.
Emma Cook, the most experienced demonstrator with four years of competition, developed a gluten-free recipe around the Peanut Foods area. She discussed how peanuts grow, how nutritious they are and demonstrated peanut bites. Emma lives in Bakersville with her parents, Jennifer and Josh Cook. Sponsoring her program is the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association and the Gore 4-H Presentation Endowment.
Emma Holden and her presentation partner, Alli McClellan, were successful as team demonstrators in Dairy Foods. They chose to adapt Alli’s grandmother’s pimento cheese recipe and used a theme around a picnic. The McAuley Family 4-H Dairy Foods Endowment is the sponsor of this program. Emma is the daughter of Carol and Josh Holden and Alli is the daughter of Shane and Stephanie McClellan. Both girls live in Spruce Pine.
Kendal Parker, a newcomer to presentations, chose Egg Cookery as her category and won the state 11-13 age division. She developed a recipe for breakfast called A+ Omelet Muffins. In additional to nutritional information, Kendal discussed sizes of eggs and demonstrated how healthy they are. She resides in Bakersville with her parents, Jennifer and Shane Parker. The North Carolina Egg Association provides funds for Kendal’s category.
Winning the Foods and Nutrition presentation with her presentation “Rising to the Occasion” was Spruce Pine native Marena Presnell. She chose to demonstrate how to create a sourdough starter from scratch and how to use that starter to make nutritious recipes. Another of her topics was the history of bread and bread-making. Marena is the daughter of Deena and Mark Presnell. Providing support for her presentation category is the Gore 4-H Foods Presentation Endowment.
Waverly Revels created a showstopper with her Ninja costume and Ninja Fruit Salsa. The judges were amazed that she knew so much information about the Fruits and Vegetables she showcased in her recipe. Waverly lives in Bakersville with her mom Jennifer Revels. Her category is sponsored by the Ed and Dinah Gore 4-H Presentation Endowment.
The last Mitchell County 4-H’er to bring home the gold was Allison Pittman from Spruce Pine. She wanted to learn more about nursing and added a twist. After the coronavirus hit, she changed her focus to demonstrate how Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used to protect the medical community and patients. She is the daughter of Renae and Rodney Pittman. Her Safety category is sponsored by the North Carolina 4-H Development Fund.
One Mitchell County 4-H’er placed with a silver medal- third year presenter Owen Young who chose Electricity as his topic. He demonstrated “Sound to Electricity” and used the Scientific Method to showcase his sound system as it created sparks. Owen is the son of Aaron and Crystal Young of Bakersville and a member of the Mega-Bytes 4-H Club. His sponsor is the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.
Two Mitchell County 4-H’ers were recognized as recipients of high honors at state presentation finals. Shauna English who selected the title “All About Child Development: Starring Auggie” shared the developmental milestones of a one-year-old and compared each to her nephew, Auggie. She competed in the Family and Consumer Sciences category. Shauna is the daughter of Alan and Bette English of Spruce Pine. She is also a member of the Creative Clovers Junior 4-H Club. Her sponsor is the North Carolina 4-H Development Fund.
A second Megabytes 4-H Electric Club member received High Honors for his Science and Technology presentation. Luke Smith wanted to make something that would fit into both science and electricity because he had won electric last year. His solution was to make a Tesla Coil and expanded it to include the scientist Tesla and the Tesla car. Luke is the son of Aaron and Cari Smith of Bakersville. His sponsor is Syngenta.
Mitchell County’s 4-H Youth Development Program has consistently been recognized with outstanding presenters, none more than in 2020. The Mitchell County Cooperative Extension Center and its 4-H program are proud to recognize this accomplishment and the many months that our 4-H’ers prepared.
For those interested in having their youth learn more about or join 4-H, please call the Mitchell County Extension 4-H Office at 688-4811 or email the County Extension Director, Eve Kindley at emkindle@ncsu.edu.