(06/23/17) BATON ROUGE, La. — With a theme of “Out of this World,” nearly 1,500 4-H’ers from across the state won educational trips, participated in educational programs and selected new officers for the 2017-2018 school year during 4-H University.

The 103rd annual event was held on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge during the week of June 20-23. 4-H University consists of 37 competitive contests, 11 Clover College tracks, electing new state officers and regional representatives for the state 4-H executive board, and selecting national conference delegates and members of six state leadership boards.

In the competitive contests, youth contended for educational trips to the Gulf Coast, West Virginia and Dallas. They also vied for the right to represent Louisiana 4-H in several national competitions and cash prizes.

“For many 4-H members, 4-H University is the highlight of their year,” said Janet Fox, LSU AgCenter 4-H department head. “Some have been preparing for their contests all year, and others look forward to components like Clover College and other educational programs.”

4-H University also allows the participants to experience what life is like on a major college campus. They stay in dormitories during the event, and the contests and programs are held across the LSU campus, exposing 4-H members to a college-like experience.

“Some of our participants come from rural areas and attend small schools. 4-H U gives them a taste of the college atmosphere, and hopefully, they will find it less intimidating if they go off to college someday,” Fox said.

Nearly 250 students attended the Clover College tracks. These tracks are non-competitive and focus on education and exposing young people to campus life. Sessions included exploring the LSU athletic facilities, learning about opportunities in the LSU College of Agriculture and lessons regarding the basics of video production.

State 4-H president, vice president, secretary, historian/reporter and parliamentarian were elected during the week. Brittney Lea, of Bienville Parish, was elected president. Westin Cobb, of Livingston Parish, will serve as vice president.

Heather Goss, of Calcasieu Parish, was elected secretary. Antavion Moore, of Bienville Parish, was elected historian/reporter, and Gavyn Stephens, of Iberia Parish, was chosen parliamentarian.

Members were also designated to serve on the boards for citizenship, fashion, food and fitness, performing arts, shooting sports, and science, engineering and technology (SET).

Delegates to represent Louisiana 4-H at the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., in spring 2018 were also selected during 4-H U.

Representatives were chosen from five geographical regions to serve as liaisons between the state executive board and their respective regions and help in the planning and staging of regional and state 4-H events.

Contests winners were:

4-H Has Talent: Samyra Miller, Orleans Parish.

Agriculture Demo: Collin Barrios and Gabriel LoCoco, St. Charles Parish

ATV: Ethan Coker, Claiborne Parish.

Automotive: Olivia Beauvais, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Automotive (Team): Dylan Andre and Olivia Beauvais, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Career Preparation Interview: Casey Williams, Vernon Parish.

Child Development: Ja’Darius Williams, Sabine Parish.

Compact Tractor: John Hains, Acadia Parish.

Computer Simulation: Samuel Hollier and Evan Miller, Evangeline Parish.

Consumer Decision Making: Emily Aguillard, Brooke Glaser and Lexi Sellars, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Consumer Food Judging: Hollyn Guidroz, Carly Loupe and Katie Louviere, Lafourche Parish.

Dairy Judging: Jacob Martin, Lafayette Parish.

Dairy Judging (Team): Jacob Martin, Ryann Simon and Nathan Thompson, Lafayette Parish.

Diesel Operations: Joshua Becnel, Lafourche Parish.

Dog Science: Trace Presley, St. Mary Parish.

Entomology Demonstration: Kelbi Lashare and John-Michael Shiner, Vermilion Parish.

Environmental Conservation Illustrated Talk: Gaven Guidry, Terrebonne Parish.

Fashion Review-Casual: Jodie Perry, Caddo Parish.

Fashion Review-Creative Choice: Alexis Hanson, Winn Parish.

Fashion Review-Designer’s Choice: Chloé Litteral, Calcasieu Parish.

Fashion Review-Ready-to-Wear: Anna Little, Winn Parish.

Family and Consumer Sciences Demonstration: Saydie Rusk and Martin Vanderlick, Avoyelles Parish.

Fishing Sports: Cameron Nicholas, Avoyelles Parish.

Fishing Sports (Team): Dylan Breaux, Garret Broussard and Margaret Higginbotham, Acadia Parish.

Forestry: Clay Zaunbrecher, Vermilion Parish.

Horticulture Demonstration-General: Ashlyn Jeansonne and Avia Laborde, Avoyelles Parish.

Horticulture Demonstration-Use: Maeleigh Conner and Marley Thibodeaux, Cameron Parish.

Horticulture Judging: Bet Lee, Vermilion Parish.

Horticulture Judging (Team): Alex Bedwell, William Dailey and Bret Lee, Vermilion Parish.

Insect Identification: Alec Plaisance, Lafourche Parish.

Meat Identification: Emily Lanie, Lafayette Parish.

Meat Identification (Team): John-Garrett Patrick, Nicholaus Pryor and Sadi White, Concordia Parish.

Outdoor Skills: Reed Bearden, Bossier Parish.

Outdoor Skills (Team): Connor Arthur, Navy Britt and Gabriel Marr, Sabine Parish.

Photography: Skylar Henry, Jeff Davis Parish.

Plant Science: Ann Borel, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Plant Science (Team): Ann Borel, Dylan LeBlanc and Maycee Steib, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Poultry Judging: Lauren Gauthier, Avoyelles Parish.

Poultry Judging (Team): Maddie Bordelon, Zack Duncan and Lauren Gauthier, Avoyelles Parish.

Public Speaking (Any Subject): Stanley Celestine, Avoyelles Parish.

Public Speaking (Cooperative): Brooke Firmin, Avoyelles Parish

Solutions Unlimited: Alan Fitts, Ann Smith and Myranda Smith, Grant Parish.

Soybean Illustrated Talk: Caroline Doise, Jefferson Davis Parish.

Sports Broadcasting: Elise Jackson and Conrad Tempanaro, Iberville Parish.

Teens Driving Teens to Safety: Alana Duhon and Sydney Guidry, Vermilion Parish.

The Louisiana Chef: Christopher Broussard and Ty Hebert, Vermilion Parish.

The Next 4-H Food Star: Caroline Benedict, Sarah Cline and Sophie Elliot, Pointe Coupee Parish.

Wildlife Habitat Judging: Bridget Seghers, St. Tammany Parish.

State 4-H officers, from left, Patrick Cormier, Stanley Celestine Jr. (obscured), Taylor Goss and Jill Wiltz bestow medals on 4-H’ers who placed in contests during the closing ceremony of the 103rd annual 4-H University on June 22, 2017, in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the LSU campus. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Tina Goebel, LSU AgCenter 4-H coordinator for the central Louisiana region, celebrates with two 4-H’ers who received medals during the closing ceremony of the 103rd annual 4-H University on June 22, 2017, in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the LSU campus. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

4-H’ers react as they hold a small alligator during an educational program led by LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant agent Mark Shirley during 4-H University on June 22, 2017. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Bienville Parish 4-H’er Brittney Lea was elected state 4-H president for the 2017-2018 school year at the 103rd annual 4-H University. Lea is pictured giving a campaign speech at the opening ceremony of the event on June 20, 2017, in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the LSU campus. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

4-H’ers take notes as they participate in the meat identification contest at 4-H University on June 21, 2017. The contest was held in the meats lab in Francioni Hall on the LSU campus. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter