Lexie Haynes uses talents, compassion in 4-H

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Lexie Haynes displays her 4-H clothing projects. As a member of the Sub-Junior division of the Fayette County 4-H Club, Lexie has succeed in several areas, including record book, community service, and food and nutrition. -- Staff photo by Taylor

Oct. 7, 2004 - Lexie Haynes is 11-years-old and in the fifth grade in La Grange. She has about seven teachers, this year, and it's "supposed" to prepare her for middle and high school and changing classes. After spending time with the youngster, it's obvious she'll do fine!

Visiting with Lexie took this writer back to a time when all children had manners and said "yes ma'm" and "yes sir" to their elders. Apparently, Lexie is as successful as a Sub-Junior in her La Grange 4-H club as she was in the interview session for this story.

Actually, she's known about rural lifestyles and 4-H all of her life; her maternal grandfather worked with the Texas Animal Health Commission, and her mother, Deborah McNeil, was in 4-H as a child, and is one of the leaders in La Grange. With support from her dad, Lawrence, and her 3-year-old brother, Berry, watching every move, Lexie is on top of her game.

She and her family live in town, so Lexie decided to concentrate on clothing, food and nutrition, community service, and gardening as her 4-H projects. Apparently, it is working, as she was one of three who received the Outstanding Sub-Junior award, this year.

Her Record Book received a blue ribbon in the local competition, as well as in the district competition. Using sewing machines furnished by the Extension agents, Lexie made a very pretty dress and shawl, which her mom said has had a lot of use!

Lexie is enjoying learning about cooking nutritious foods, and has cooked with eggplant, or as she explained it ... "something healthy!" In October, she is planning on another healthy cooking project ... either oatmeal cookies or a smoothie fruit dish.

Another area Lexie thrives in is volunteering. She has done community service by providing cookies for a local Fayette Electric Co-op Annual Meeting, and looks forward each year to selling poinsettias to benefit a local church. On Oct. 23, she plans to contribute to the Food and Nutrition Show at a local Methodist church in La Grange ... probably something healthy like the eggplant!

Although Lexie enjoys learning to cook healthy foods for her family and the community, she said her favorite part of 4-H, at this time, is the sewing. On the same note, the worse experience she has had was when she was cutting out an outfit from a piece of cloth and accidentally cut off a piece that she really needed! It all worked out, but left an impression on Lexie, and is something she might never do, again!

Lexie, who is currently the historian of her 4-H club, has set plans for her future in 4-H to include being involved in the public speaking and photography programs of the local club. She attends one meeting a month, and enjoys learning and summer camps offered by the club.

When asked why she thought 4-H was a good club to belong to, she gave an answer which expressed the maturity of this exceptional 11-year-old. "Because when you grow up and your mom gets sick, you could take care of them."

Deborah McNeil is a lucky woman, and Lexie is a great example of what 4-H can help children achieve.