Bell Co. 4-H team takes national honors

By JULIET BRISKIN | Central Texas Edition

LtoR: Micah Langford, 15, Jordan Stewart, 19, Coach Aaron Langford, Chris Bakken, 17, and Daniel Bakken, 18, took Reserve Grand Champion honors in Consumer Decision Making contest at the Western National 4-H Round-Up in Denver, Colo.rado. --Photo courtesy of Kay Langford

February 21, 2002 -- The Bell County Consumer Decision Making Team proved itself to be one of the best in the country at the Western National 4-H Round-Up in Denver on Jan. 12, 2002. The team, coached by Aaron Langford, was awarded the Reserve Grand Champion title after finishing just two points behind the team from New Mexico.

The entire Bell County team is home schooled and prepared for over 17 months for this final competition. The road to nationals began with a county contest that determined who would participate on the Bell Co. team. After the members were chosen the team competed and won a district competition which sent them to the Texas State 4-H Round-Up in College Station this past June. It was a first place finish at College Station that sent them to Denver.

Team members Daniel Bakken, 18, Chris Bakken, 17, Jordan Stewart, 19, and Micah Langford, 15, raised over $4,000 for their trip to nationals. In addition to being named Reserve Grand Champion the team was the first place Reasons Team and took home numerous individual honors.

Daniel Bakken won first-place individual in reasons, with Micah Langford placing second and Chris Bakken in fourth place. Micah Langford took first place individual in judging and was the high-point individual overall.

"These young men have exhibited extraordinary determination and character in preparing for and in competing in the biggest contest of their lives. They put in countless hours of hard work practicing, studying and raising money," coach Langford said. "I'm really proud of these guys and I'm so happy for them."

Consumer Decision Making consists of taking everyday products that are divided into six categories and ranking them on a scale of one to four.

"You learn how to place different products based on the actual construction or content," said Micah Langford. "You learn to be a better consumer because of that." After placing the different products the team members must go before a panel of judges and give oral reasons for why they placed the products as they did.

According to Micah team members can take notes while placing the products but when they go before the panel of judges they must have all the information memorized. "That can be very difficult," he explained. "Public speaking skills are a must."

At nationals the team judged denim jeans, sleeping bags, enviro-shopping (determining which products' packaging is most environmentally friendly), checks, place settings and snacks. "This is considered the most prestigious non-agriculture contest in 4-H, but most people aren't aware of it," stated Micah.

Kay Langford, Micah and Aaron's mother works with the team as well. "I think Consumer Decision Making is the greatest contest that 4-H has," said Kay Langford. "You use these skills everyday and for the rest of your life." According to Kay, participating in Consumer Decision Making has allowed Micah to become a much more responsible shopper

Since the team has won state they can no longer compete in Consumer Decision Making. It is now up to a new team to continue the winning tradition.