KATIE MCANDREW - 2008 PA Outstanding 4-H Horse Member Award Finalist

Congratulations goes out to Town & Country 4-H Horse & Pony Club member, Katie McAndrew, for being named a finalist for the 2008 Pennsylvania Outstanding 4-H Horse Member Award. Katie, along with four other individuals, was selected from applications from 4-H horse members across the commonwealth.

This year's award will be given out during the 2008 PA State 4-H Horse Show on Saturday, October 25th at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.

Katie is the 17 year-old daughter of Joseph & Debbie McAndrew of Brockway. Katie is currently a senior at Brockway Area High School and is very active in horse, leadership, and community service projects in not only her 4-H club, but the Clearfield County 4-H Teen Council as well! Katie is currently busy preparing to show four horses at the state horse next month.

Are You Ready for the Leadership Opportunity of a Lifetime???

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2009 Pennsylvania State 4-H Council! Think you have what is takes to serve on the council? If so, here are a few eligibility requirements:

• 4-H member must be at least 16-years-old by January 1, 2009


• It is recommended that, if possible, the applicant was a member of your County Council Program.


• It is also recommended that the applicant have some leadership experience beyond the county-level (Regional Teen Retreats, Camp, State Leadership Conference, State Achievement Days, Capital Days, etc...)

In addition to a completed application, potential delegates will also have to complete an interview with the selection committee and conduct a presentation (topic to be announced).

If you want an application, please contact Jana at the Extension Office or print one off on-line at http://ps4-hc.cas.psu.edu/ under the link “Council Information” This website also gives you more information as to the time commitment and your responsibilities on the wile on the council.
Clearfield County was very proud to have a delegate this year. Our current delegate, Abby Dressler, would love to answer any questions you may have.

Completed applications are due to Jana by Friday, October 10, 2008.

Photo: The 2008 Council poses as a group after receiving their green jackets and being inducted as officers at the 2008 PA 4-H Leadership Conference in February.

Competitors Meet the Challenge of the 4-H State Competitive Trail Ride

The 2008 PA 4-H State Competitive Trail Ride, known as "The Keystone Ride", was held on September 19-20, 2008 in Bald Eagle State Forest. 4-H members, leaders, family and friends arrived with their horses early Friday, September 19th, went through pre-ride inspections and prepared to participate in the competitive trail ride on Saturday the 20th. The 2008 Keystone Ride had participants from Bedford, Blair, Clearfield, Lancaster, Jefferson and Wyoming counties.

Competitive trail riding takes place on well-marked trails at a timed pace. Judges observe the ride, inspecting the horses before and after the competition. The ride is not a race against time. Scoring is based on the overall condition of the horse, with points subtracted for any changes in their horse’s condition.

The ride offers high point awards in three divisions. This year's winners were: High Point 4-H Jr. Rider –Megan Oliver, Wyoming County; High Point 4-H Senior Rider – Shalise Gallaher; Clearfield County, High Point Adult Rider- Chandra Whipp, Bedford County.

Blue Seal Feeds, Inc. generously donated awards for the top three high point winners in each division. A bag of Sunshine Plus conditioning supplement was donated for the high point winners, and a tub of E-Z Hoof supplement was donated for the second and third place high point winners.

Division Winners:
Division A - Jr. Riding Ponies: First – Cassity Brennan, Bedford, Second – Victoria Ward, Bedford; Third – Alyssa Keefer, Lancaster; Fourth –Mikayla Ishman, Jefferson.

Division B - Sr. Riding Ponies: First –Leslie Weller, Lancaster; Second –Ayrian Talbert, Bedford, Third – Nicole Miller, Bedford.

Division C - Jr. Riding Horses: First – Megan Oliver-Wyoming; Second—Frances McAninch, Clearfield; Third—Tanner Shipley.

Division D - Sr. Riding Horses: First – Shalise Gallaher, Clearfield; Second—Lauren Myers; Lancaster Third—Ashley Pletcher, Blair.

Division E - Adult/Leader Light Weight: First –Chris Ward, Bedford; Second – Jenny Shipley, Bedford; Third – Danielle Foust, Wyoming.

Division F - Adult/Leader Heavy Weight: First – Chandra Whipp, Bedford; Second – Cynthia Weller, Lancaster; Third – Cindie Reitz, Jefferson; Fourth—Connie Oliver, Wyoming; Fifth –Jennifer Harper, Lancaster; Sixth—Lauren Carpenter, Bedford.

The ride also offers horsemanship awards for each youth division. The horsemanship division is judged on overall care and handling of the horse or pony before, during and after the competitive trail ride. This year’s winners in the Junior Division: First—Alyssa Keefer, Lancaster; Second—Megan Oliver, Wyoming; Third—Frances McAninch, Clearfield. In the Senior Division: First—Lauren Myers, Lancaster: Second—Nicole Miller, Bedford; Third—Ashley Pletcher, Blair.

This ride is an annual event coordinated by Patricia Comerford and Andrea Graeff. Mr. Richard Ely, from Somerset County serves as the volunteer leader for the event. Dr. Scott McAllister, Centre Equine Practice, served as the vet judge for the ride, Mrs. Jennifer Zajaczkowski served as the lay judge, and Mrs. Helene McKernan served as the horsemanship judge. Mrs. Kathy Fye of Centre County served as official timer for the event. Additional help for the ride is provided by PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry, local competitive trail riders: Millie Turner and Patty Lambert, members of the Nittany Amateur Radio Club, Penn State Animal Science 327 students, CHAPS of Penn State and many local volunteers.

“Clearfield County is very proud of the two 4-H members they sent to this year’s event. They are newcomers to this event and placed extremely high for their first year.” Jana Lynne Davidson, Children & Youth Development Educator for Penn State Cooperative Extension of Clearfield County. Shalise Gallaher who took home top honors is the 17 year old daughter of Dave & Rhonda Gallaher, Jr. of Grampian. Shalise is an active member of the Cowboy Up 4-H Club and also the Clearfield County 4-HTeen Council. Frances McAninch of the Town & Country 4-H Horse and Pony Club was recognized not only for her accomplishments in the trail ride, but for her outstanding horsemanship skills as well. Frances is the 13 year old daughter of Dan & Phyllis McAninch of DuBois.

The Competitive Trail Ride project is open to all 4-H Horse members in Pennsylvania. For more information on 4-H horse programs, contact your county Penn State Extension office or go to: www.das.psu.edu/4h/horse/.

Photo: Shalise Gallaher of Grampian was named the 4-H High Point Senior Rider and also received first place honors in the Division D – Senior Rider Horse Category.

Local 4-H Members Compete for Top Honors at State Event

Photo: Jana Davidson, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator for Penn State Cooperative Extension of Clearfield County, Morgan Turner of Philipsburg, Katie McAndrew of Brockway, Yvonne Bush of DuBois, and Abby Dressler of Rockton pose for a photo after the awards and closing ceremony of the 64th 4-H State Achievement Days at Penn State University. Missing from photo are Shalise Gallaher of Grampian, Jenifer McAndrew of Brockway, John “JR” McMahon of Smithmill, Amanda Owens of Woodland, Derek Southern of Houtzdale, & Devon Turner of Philipsburg.

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park Campus, played host to over 700 4-H members from across Pennsylvania for the annual 64th 4-H State Achievement Days from August 5-7, 2008.

Each 4-H member participated in one of the 25 events offered at 4-H State Achievement Days. The events range from Public Speaking and Physical Fitness to Horse judging and “The Apprentice”. The participants also worked on several service learning projects gear towards helping local non-profit agencies as well as supporting our military personnel.

Ten Clearfield County 4-H teens took part in this year’s event in four different events.

Clearfield County’s Horse Bowl Team received third place. Members of the Horse Bowl Team included Amanda Owens of the Clearfield Area 4-H Horse & Pony Club, who was named as the third place individual and honored with a blue merit award. Yvonne Bush of the Town & Country 4-H Horse and Pony Club took eighth place as an individual and received a red merit award. Jenifer McAndrew of the Town & Country 4-H Horse and Pony Club placed ninth as an individual and received a red merit, and Shalise Gallaher of the Cowboy Up 4-H Club was awarded a red merit award.

Katie McAndrew Bush of the Town & Country 4-H Horse and Pony Club received a white merit award for her participation in the Horse Judging Senior Division Individual event.

Clearfield County’s Rabbit & Cavy Bowl Team came in third place. Participants Devon Turner received a red merit award and Morgan Turner received a white merit award.

John ”JR” McMahon of the Clearfield County 4-H Top Guns took home fourth place as an individual in the Shotgun Junior Division Contest and was awarded a blue merit award, while Derek Southern, also of the Clearfield County 4-H Top Guns received a red merit award.

Clearfield County 4-H youth where accompanied by Jana Davidson, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator for Penn State Cooperative Extension of Clearfield County.

“This annual event is held to demonstrate achievement of 4-H members and provide recognition of their accomplishments. Such events provide youth with educational opportunities to develop self-confidence, increase skills in project work, increase skills in decision making, and develop high standards,” says Phil Hoy, youth program management coordinator in Penn State's department of agricultural and extension education.

“4-H State Achievement is one of several opportunities for Pennsylvania’s youth to demonstrate the knowledge they have learned through the 4-H program,” states Christy Bartley, state 4-H program leader. “4-H members participate in other state and national events during the program year.”

LEAH J.CARR - 2008 Recipient of the Lewie Greene Memorial 4-H Scholarship

This year’s Lewie Greene Memorial 4-H Scholarship recipient is Leah Carr. Leah is a member of the Graham Township 4-H Club. Throughout her ten years as a Clearfield County 4-H member, Leah has completed numerous vegetable projects, entering over thirty different kinds of vegetables in the Clearfield County Fair including corn carrots, potatoes, lettuce, kale, kohlrabi, endive, onions, cabbage, squash, peas and beans. At the fair, Leah has been awarded the Best 4-H Vegetable Exhibit Award in 2005 & 2006. In addition to her 4-H experiences at the fair, Leah was crowned the 2008 Clearfield County Fair Queen.

In her 4-H club, Leah has held the offices of vice-president, secretary and is currently serving as president for the fourth consecutive year. Leah has taken part in 4-H public speaking contests and numerous community service efforts through her 4-H club. Her favorite 4-H experience is attending the Clearfield County Fair’s 4-H & FFA Awards Ceremony each year and seeing the youth recognized for their achievements.

Leah credits her experience in the 4-H program with having a huge impact on her life. 4-H taught her the importance of agriculture and has influenced her career choice, as she plans to continue to learn more about agriculture and educate others of agriculture’s importance in their life.

Leah is a 2008 graduate of West Branch Area High School. Leah is 18 year old daughter of Robert & Holly Carr of Morrisdale. Leah is currently a freshman at Penn State University – DuBois Campus majoring in business with a minor in agricultural business. Leah received a scholarship in the amount of $250.00.

The Lewie Greene Memorial 4-H Scholarship is open to all 4-H members that are graduating seniors entering in a two or four year post high school curriculum. Applications are available at the Clearfield County Cooperative Extension Office and the deadline to apply each year is August 1st. Mr. Greene is a former 30 year leader of the Harmony 4-H Club, who had a true passion to educate and help the 4-H youth understand their true potential.