BUCYRUS — The experiences gained through 4-H cover various areas of involvement and last a lifetime for those who participate. From caring for animals, to completing projects, and even working the 4-H food booth with your friends, there are memories and lifelong experiences for all ages.
The 2017 Crawford County Fair is a bittersweet one for Galion graduate Lexi Hadamuscin. While this is her ninth and final year as a participant as well as a member of the 4-H Galion Blue Ribbon Achievers, she is going out in the best way possible. One of her final projects earned her a trip to the Ohio State Fair in August as a senior representative.
As with the majority of 4-H participants in Galion, Lexi has always done her club work by way of books, research, pen and paper. This year, she submitted three projects: “Your First Home Away from Home,” “The Truth about Tobacco,” and “Diversity: The Source of our Strength.” It was her work on the first project, “Your First Home Away from Home” that earned her a spot at this year’s state fair.
Each project is centered around a book and the activities within it, and takes months to complete.
Lexi chose her projects in January, received her books in March, and worked from then until now to finish and be ready for the fair this week. Hadamuscin was required to complete activities — including some shopping — as well as make a display for the fair and do a presentation in the Youth Building at the fairgrounds in the week leading up to the fair.
“Your Home Away from Home” was a perfect project choice for Lexi considering the subject matter of dorm life or apartment life as you take a step out on your own for the first time. As a 2017 Galion High School graduate, she will soon be leaving the home of her parents Larry and Shannon to attend Ohio University this fall.
As her experiences with 4-H comes to a close, Lexi is very thankful for her years spent involved with the organization.
“I have made lots of friends, from many different schools that I wouldn’t have known otherwise. And there are a lot of life skills introduced through 4-H as well,” she said.
While Lexi is still eligible for another year of involvement, she has decided to focus on her college activities instead.
“It’s bittersweet for me. I would love to participate another year, but being so far away at Ohio University in Athens will make attending meetings fairly difficult. And I want to enjoy college also.”
