Berlin--The University of Vermont (UVM) Extension office in Berlin was a busy place on Saturday, April 13, as 4-H’ers from Orange and Washington County 4-H clubs gathered for the 2024 Central Region Spring Showcase.

The event provided a showcase for 4-H’ers to share their communications projects and life skills with fellow 4-H’ers, family and friends. All of the entries will go onto 4-H State Day, May 4, at the Vermont Granite Museum in Barre, which features exhibits, presentations, a fashion revue and more by 4-H’ers from throughout the state.

Several 4-H clubs were represented at the event, including the Clever Clovers, Tunbridge; Rambling Rivers 4-H Club, Newbury; Topsham Pony Pals, Topsham; and Washington County Independents. Their members presented the following at the Spring Showcase:

  • FASHION REVUE: Elsie Kidder, Newbury (corduroy jacket); Ophelia Ross, Newbury (palazzo pants and messenger bag); Isabelle Spooner, Bradford (palazzo pants). Fashion revue participants prepare a short speech to describe their outfit and the event where they plan to wear it, which is read as they model their outfit. They also are evaluated on a written essay in which they reflect on their sewing progress and feelings about the 4-H sewing project.
  • MAKER/TINKER: Isabelle Hatch (Art Shop diorama); Elsie Kidder (Candy and Flower Shop diorama); and Ophelia Ross (Le Café Fleur diorama), all from Newbury; Isabelle Spooner, Bradford (Doggie Daycare diorama). These exhibits involve creative processes to design, experiment, build and invent and often incorporate science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) principles.
  • POSTER: Mackenzie Pearl, Barnet (“How to Judge a Dairy Cow”). Entries in this category present well-researched educational information on a specific topic or issue.
  • SMART SHOPPER: Isabelle Spooner, Bradford (special occasion dress and accessories) and Ophelia Ross, Newbury (Spring concert dress and accessories). For this category, 4-H’ers must create an outfit or complement an item of clothing already owned with items purchased from a thrift store or similar outlet with a budget of $25.
  • TABLETOP EXHIBITS: Louise Anderson, Northfield Falls (“Fish Tank Care”); Rianna Bagalio, Randolph Center; Rylee Godsoe, Newport, New Hampshire; and Taylor West, Tunbridge (“Dr. Pepper is the Superior Soda”); Evangeline Bostock, Sharon (“Mini Highland Cows”); Ryder Curavoo, Berlin (“About Brown Swiss”); Cedar Eldridge, Montpelier (“Birds of Costa Rica”); Hattie Hoyt, Tunbridge (“Peafowl”). Tabletop exhibits combine words, pictures and items or props with a background display to convey information about a subject.

The Orange County 4-H Foundation and Washington County 4-H Foundation sponsored the event, which was organized by Molly McFaun, UVM Extension 4-H educator for Orange and Washington Counties. She can be reached at (802) 656-4828 or molly.mcfaun@uvm.edu.