4-H has always been a part of my life. I joined when I was 9 and made the usual mistakes that new members make about putting off finishing an exhibit. The shellac was not dry so when I picked up the shelf the imprint of my hands was quite evident.
Later I attended Congress in Chicago and worked as a volunteer camping assistant at county camps across WV. I made the truest friends for life at State Camps and in the University 4-H Club.
I started grad school and knew with all my heart I wanted to be a 4-H agent. I landed my first job in McDowell County.
During my first year, I picked up 4-Her’s projects around the county and a little guy handed over his shelf painted white and put it in the trunk of my car. When I opened the trunk to get out the projects, there were splatters of white paint on the carpeting and two handprints on the end of the shelf. I believed it was a sign that I had found my calling in life. That little boy received a blue ribbon.
My next stop was serving as the 4-H agent in Grant County. My involvement in the community grew and we started a family there. I decided to finish my masters so I drove to Morgantown to WVU every week.
In 1987, I was offered a job in Morgantown as an Extension Specialist. Much of my job was planning events such as the State 4-H Camps, weekend camps, volunteer training, 4-H Congress and initiating exchange experiences with other countries for 4-H’ers. I loved this job. Our family’s schedule cycled around the 4-H schedule and all 4 of our children were highly involved in 4-H.
We had so many Jeff’s at Camp that they nicknamed me Big O. Those were definitely the best times of my life. My hope was that the opportunities that we were providing for these 4-H’ers would expand their horizons and let them develop to their highest potential.
I have a much larger family. It is my 4-H family. My 4-H years are precious memories and mean so much to me today. The friendships have been lifelong and I will always be grateful for the opportunity I had to work with 4-H.
