Burlington--Thirty-seven Vermont 4-H'ers participated in a virtual 4-H State Day this year, including a 4-H club member from Pittsford.

Ten-year-old Adeline White, a member of the Wind Riders 4-H Club in Rutland, was one of three 4-H'ers statewide who earned a blue ribbon for her individual stage performance. She submitted a video of herself singing "Castle on a Cloud" from Les Misérables.

"Every year our 4-H'ers impress us with their ambitious goals surrounding communication and public speaking skills," says Allison Smith, University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H Youth Learning Experiences coordinator. "They present demonstrations and exhibits on a variety of subject areas of interest to them and show off their talents, as Adeline has, with their performances on stage."

Smith points out that this is the second year in a row that 4-H State Day has been held virtually, due to the pandemic, noting that in the past, exhibits and public speaking were performed live, and the moment was fleeting.

"Now the knowledge passed along in the videos and photos that this year's participants submitted can be shared with different audiences and used to also help upcoming 4-H'ers see what a quality and successful presentation looks like," she says.

4-H State Day is sponsored annually by UVM Extension 4-H. It provides a platform for outstanding 4-H'ers from throughout the state to share what they've learned in 4-H projects and club activities through action exhibits, illustrated talks, stage presentations, demonstrations, photographs and several other categories.

To learn more about 4-H in Rutland County, contact UVM Extension 4-H educator Kimberly Griffin at kimberly.griffin@uvm.edu or (802) 773-3349, ext. 276.