Students Give Reports as 4-H Week Nears

Representatives from each of the 4-H Clubs in Fayette County pose for a photograph with the Commissioners Court. Fayette County 4-H Council President Cooper Mau (front, left) accepts a proclamation signed by Fayette County Judge Dan Mueller (front, right). They are pictured with the Fayette County 4-H Council Officers and the four County Commissioners (middle row, from left) Vice-President Harper Mau, Reporter Tori Newton, Treasurer Madeline Willrich, Parliamentarian Railey Nieto, Secretary Kaylee Hensley, (back) Pet. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel, Pet. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom, Pet. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff and Pet. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann.

Fayette County Commissioners Court held a special meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 20, to sign a proclamation recognizing the week of Oct. 1-7 as National 4-H Week in Fayette County. The Court also heard an annual report from the Fayette County 4-H Council.

Council president Cooper Mau and his leadership team reported that livestock projects by Fayette County 4-H members brought in $1.5 million in sales at local stock shows. In addition, Fayette County 4-H members received a total of $48,000 in Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarships. The local 4-H clubs raised $2,800 this year for the Emily Fritsch Scholarship Fund as well.

4-H offers students much more than just livestock pro-jects. The 4-H students reported on projects ranging from food and nutrition to photography. In addition, the students reported on their community service activities in the past year, which included collecting supplies for the animal shelter and AMEN Food Pantry, baked and donated cookies and snacks for local schools, donated items to nursing homes prepared a breakfast for first responders and raised money for local charities.

Kayla Kaspar, the County’s Youth Development Leader for 4-H, thanked the County leaders for supporting the local 4-H programs. Total membership stands at about 320 students in eight community clubs and two special project clubs. All four commissioners and County Judge Dan Mueller praised the 4-H students for their work throughout the year.

“It’s astounding how successful people have been in life if they’ve gone through the 4-H,” Mueller said. “There is a veiy low percentage of people who’ve gotten outside the law who were members of the 4-H in their early years. It’s a great program and I’m proud of you very much.”

In other business at Wednesday’s meeting, the Commissioners voted unanimously to formally accept the recent donation from Steve Hillhouse of La Grange. Hillhouse donated $250,000 each to the Fayette County EMS and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. He also donated $250,000 to the La Grange Volunteer Fire Department.