4-H

 As fall approaches, I am once again reminded that so closes another 4-H year. I have been a volunteer 4-H leader for 32 years.

During that time I have seen the positive impact 4-H has on many young citizens of Superior and Douglas County.

I have seen the very shy youngster blossom as they gain confidence in working with others of different age groups. I have seen these same youngsters gain valuable political experience as they choose to campaign, run and hold elected offices in their clubs. They gain leadership skills and valuable public speaking experience as they learn the responsibilities of those offices.

Through the over 75 project areas that 4-H offers, members can explore those that interest them the most. Many have taken what they have learned in a 4-H project and pursued a career in that field. Members learn valuable research skills, analytical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and more as they explore their projects. Each year they have the opportunity to display their knowledge and projects at the Cultural Arts festival and at the Head of the Lakes Fair. I have shared with members the joy as they are rewarded for a project well done. I have also challenged many to take their project to the next level. I have consoled through disappointment and encouraged to try harder.

4-H teaches youngsters to get involved in their community. Over the years I have seen many ways that the 4-H youth have spawned an idea, did the planning and carried through with the project to give back to the community. I have seen them walk dogs at the local animal shelter, build dog houses, visit nursing homes for pumpkin carving, as well as partnering with the residents to share other crafts, cooked a meal for the residents of Solid Rock, redecorated and refurbished a room at CASDA, purchased toys for needy families at Christmas, and many other projects to numerous to mention.

4-H encourages members to think globally with the LABO exchange with Japan and the other international programs that members can participate in.
 I have seen 4-H members stand up for a cause, join the Superior Days team and lobby for changes that will affect their hometown. I have seen them take part in finding ways to control purple loosetrife, and other environmental issues.

4-H will offer valuable job experience as members interview for camp counselor positions, dairy bar manager, and the member evaluation process. Working at the dairy bar at the fair gives all of the 4-H members a chance to gain some of that on the job experience that is so vital. They develop a work ethic that many local employers seek.

 The 4-H after-school programs give many that would otherwise not have the opportunity a chance to participate in their neighborhood. Many will later join regular clubs and become more active with the program and develop their leadership skills. 4-H is a nondiscriminatory program that is open to everyone. Membership fees are affordable so all can participate.

4-H gives members the opportunity to represent Superior and Douglas County at State Wide events as well as national events. The 4-H Youth conference in Madison, Arts Leadership Lab, Citizen Washington Focus, National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress are some of the events that outstanding members are chosen to participate in. Members also are chosen to represent Superior at the State Fair with their demonstrations and clothing projects.

Because of my longevity with the program, I am now seeing some of those early members stay with 4-H as volunteer leaders. I am also seeing some of those same members now enrolling their children for the valuable experiences to be had. I am proud to be a part of a program that has had such a positive influence on so many youngsters in our community.

In 2007, Tony and I were both honored to become the Family of the year. Below is the nomination letter and the introduction speech written by Molly Sigafus.

I have one last nomination for the 4-H Family of the year I hope you can print this and share it with at the meeting. I may not be able to make it.

I would like to nominate Vicki and Tony Garro.

       Vicki and Tony may not have any children in 4-H but all the lives of the 4-Hers they have touched are their family. They have been role models for my sisters, brother, and I as well as all the dog and horse 4-Hers. Throughout the years they have helped us make dog houses for the humane society, taught us how to ride and train horses, taught us how to work with our dogs and encouraging us to be all that we can be and that anything is possible.

       Vicki has chaperoned a 4-H group to Kentucky, helped get Jump Start 4-H off the drawing board and into action. With out Vicki being inspired by her niece's efforts to bring a dog to the fair there wouldn't be two dog clubs with 4-Her's learning fun new tricks to teach their dogs. Vicki often brought one of her ponies to the nursing homes with 4-Hers to visit the residents. She has helped plan meals to feed the community. Every year Vicki spends numerous hours at the fair as the horse superintendent to help others with their needs and she allows non horse owners to learn about horses by using hers.

      Tony has been Vicki's support throughout all her 4-H escapades because without him many of these things wouldn't happen. He drives the horses to where they need to be. He builds the equipment used with horses and dogs. This year one project for him was the agility equipment for the Puppy Pals 4-H club. Many of the youth in the club have expressed how thankful they are to be able to have access to such wonderful equipment.

      One club project, from the Country Explorers, that sticks out in my mind is the pet project without Vicki and Tony we would not have been able to learn as much as we did about as many different animals. The children that weren't able to have a pet got hands on experience with a hamster the club moved around from family to family every month. Without Vicki and Tony it would not have been possible to build two dog houses, this year, and bring them to the humane society

I have so much to say about how they have enriched my life, but in deciding who deserves this award you don't have time to read a 500 page book.

I’m sure after reading this you or just about anyone in the room, can add a little more.

So, on behalf of 4-Hers past and present I would like to nominate Vicki and Tony Garro for family of the year because they are truly part of the 4-H family.

 

And here is Molly's introduction speech.

When I found out that this family was chosen for this years 4-H family of the year, I asked Sarah if I could say a few words about how they have affected my life as well as many others. I have known this family for as long as I can remember, if not longer and whenever I saw them they would encourage me and offer support for any project I might be working on. If asked they always participate in parades from the Christmas parade in Duluth to the pumpkin fest parade in East End. Both members of this family have chaperoned several horse events, trip to Kentucky, Horse expo in the cities, or Oshkosh, Many times “adopting” a child for the weekend. One of this family’s top priorities has been community service. We have seen, dog houses built, meals for the homeless, dogs walked at the humane society, club equipment built, horses taken to the nursing homes, just to name a few. When doing community service they always encourage 4-Hers to participate. A couple memories that stick out in my mind are they taught me how to ride a horse and would take me along on many trail rides. Activity within the dog project restarted with their efforts to help me train my dog and enter him in the fair over 5 years ago. Although they are not the traditional family, they are a big part of the 4-H family. The number of young lives this family has touched and influenced is countless, and will continue for generations to come. So, on behalf of all the lives this family has touched; it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the 2007 4-H family of the year, Vicki and Tony Garro.

 

Vicki and Tony Garro (back row right) with the kids from Puppy Pals 4-H Club

 

Right after the previous photo was taken, they took another one. I have never seen a 4-H Family of the year get that much recognition either before or after. 

Molly Sigafus is standing in front of her aunt and uncle, Vicki and Tony Garro.

Thank you for the honor, Molly!