From sewing to preventing horse ulcers to the history of 4-H, youth in Orange and Washington Counties 4-H Clubs presented across topics for 60 people at the Berlin University of Vermont Extension office on Saturday, April 4.

The following is a list of the projects and participants in the event. 

Fashion Revue: Each youth must prepare a short speech describing their outfit and where they plan to wear it, to be read as they walk the runway. They also get evaluated on written essay questions reflecting on their sewing progress and the 4-H sewing project.

  • "Letterman’s Jacket" by Elsie Kidder, Caledonia County 

Photo Winners: 4-H'ers must have made their photograph in the past 12 months. 

  • "A View From Above" by Elizabeth Stinson, Washington County           
  • "Midnight Moon" by Izabella LaPorte, Orange County
  • "This cow is named Cosi" by Scarlett Miller, Orange County
  • "Fresh Milk" by Anna Freitag, Orange County
  • "Eyes at Night" by Evangeline Bostock, Orange County
Looking down on a horse's mane and ears.
"A View From Above" by Elizabeth Stinson, Washington County.

Poster Winners: Posters present well-researched, educational information on a specific topic or issue.

  • "Geometry of Dressage" by Elizabeth Stinson, Washington County
  • "How to fit a Yoke" by Matthew Whitney, Windsor County

Tabletop Winners: Tabletop exhibits capture people’s attention and convey information using both a background display and displayed items or props.

  • "Cow Byproducts" by Hunter Hutchins and Moriah Hutchins, Orange County
  • "Parts of a Yoke" by Morgan Hutchins and Brock Pike, Orange County
  • "4-H Through the Decades" by Upper Valley Crafters Club, Orange County
  • "Jersey Cow" by Remi Hawkins, Orange County
  • "Preventing Horse Ulcers Naturally" by Elizabeth Stinson, Washington County
  • "Woodworking and Building a Chicken Carrier Box" by Wyatt Eldridge, Washington County

Illustrated Talk: An illustrated talk engages the audience by informing, convincing, or entertaining them on a given topic.

  • "Breaking a team of Cows" by Lydia Larocque, Orange County
  • "Training for a Cart Course" by Lily Larocque, Orange County
A black and white cat sits in a wheelbarrow with cows blurred in the background
"Midnight Moon" by Izabella LaPorte, Orange County.

Smart Shopper: 4-H’ers must create an outfit or complement already-owned clothing with items purchased from a thrift store or similar outlet, sticking to a budget of $25 or less.

  • "Cowgirl Cuteness" by Whitney McClain, Orange County
  • "Country Casual" by Capri Haggard-Just, Orange County

Group Stage Performance:

  • The Upper Valley Crafters Club from Orange County put on a skit they created called "4-H Through the Decades."
A group of six youth stand in front of a green poster reading University of Vermont 4-H with clover logos.
The Upper Valley Crafters Club. Photo by Cindy Ross.

A number of Cloverbud 4-H'ers (under the age of 8) also displayed their projects, though they were not evaluated.

Project evaluators: 

  • Mary Ann McFaun of Barre Town
  • Caity Packer of Burlington (a former 4-H'er!)
  • Rune Conti-Reilly of Barre (a former 4-H'er!)
  • 4-H staffer Liz Kenton from Brattleboro

Event organizer: 

  • Molly McFaun, 4-H Educator: Washington and Orange Counties

This was one of several regional communications contests that 4-H has organized across Vermont in the run-up to the May 9 State Communications Day at UVM. Events like this allow youth to build confidence in speaking to the public, and they celebrate what 4‑H is all about—learning by doing, supporting one another, and growing together.