There is a method in these youth demonstrations

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Children who competed in the 4-H County Roundup method demonstrations in Salado on March 1, keep themselves occupied while waiting for the awards presentation to begin. Photo by Mindy Poehl

March 10, 2005 - A small group of children gathered in the library at Salado High School, eating snacks of cookies, chips, apples and carrots, as they waited to perform at the Bell County 4-H Roundup on March 1.

Each child competed in a method demonstration contest, where they had less than 12 minutes to perform a speech on how to accomplish a certain task.

"Each first place winner will advance to the district tournament," said Weldon Whalen, 4-H and youth development Extension agent for Bell County. "I believe the parents are real involved and help prepare their kids for the contest."

With only 15 students competing, each one was assigned by age division. Clover Kids are nine years old and younger. Juniors are ages 9-11. Intermediates are 12-13 years old, and seniors are ages 14 and up. Each student either gave an individual or team presentation and they had different classes of what topics they could speak about, such as clothing and textiles, family life, open, safety and accident prevention and sheep/goats.

Garret Marburger, a 12-year-old from Salado 4-H, competed in the individual junior open class division. His father is a welder, so his presentation was about welding. Marburger has been welding several years, and he showed off some of his creations, along with his welding helmet, gloves and pictures.

Eleven-year-old Dorothy Wood, from Tigertown 4-H, spoke about different fashions from across the world.

Katherine Wood, Dorothy's nine-year-old sister, spoke about how to make flubber, from the movie "Flubber" starring Robin Williams. Flubber is a rubbery substance made from water, food coloring, glue and borax.

"My mom had a recipe and she always liked to make flubber when she was little. It bounces and you can play with it," Katherine said. "It didn't take me long to make my speech. I just wanted to do this (the method demonstration) to have fun."

Results:

Clothing and Textiles

Ist place; Dorothy Wood; Tigertown; Jr.

2nd place; Taylor Marburger; Salado; Jr.

Family Life

1st place; Danielle and Peter Fasolino; Konos, Jr

Open

1st place; Timothy Snowden; Konos; Sr.

1st place; Elizabeth Wood; Tigertown; Int.

1st place; Katherine Wood; Tigertown; Jr.

2nd place; Garret Marburger; Salado; Jr.

Safety and Accident Prevention

1st place; David Fasolino; Konos; Int.

1st place; Josh and Sara Burtchell; Oenaville, Sr.

Sheep/Goats

1st place; Lydia Snowden; Konos; Clover Kid

1st place; Benjamin Snowden; Konos; Int.

1st place; Luke Snowden and Anna Snowden; Konos, Jr.