Lavaca County Commissioners Court
4-H
4-H Club

National 4-H Week, Oct. 6-12

Kids’ Health Party held today, Oct. 1

  • At the Monday, Sept. 23 Commissioners’ Court meeting, the court approved a proclamation designating Tuesday, Oct. 1 as Kids’ Health Party in the county. Front from left are Natalie Knesek, Deedra Lahodny and Jennifer Steffek. Back row from left is the commissioners’ court including commissioners Dennis W. Kocian, Kenny Siegel, County Judge Keith Mudd and commissioners Wayne Faircloth and Edward Pustka. Photo by Jimmy Appelt
    At the Monday, Sept. 23 Commissioners’ Court meeting, the court approved a proclamation designating Tuesday, Oct. 1 as Kids’ Health Party in the county. Front from left are Natalie Knesek, Deedra Lahodny and Jennifer Steffek. Back row from left is the commissioners’ court including commissioners Dennis W. Kocian, Kenny Siegel, County Judge Keith Mudd and commissioners Wayne Faircloth and Edward Pustka. Photo by Jimmy Appelt
  • Local Lavaca County 4-H members pose with County Judge Keith Mudd and commissioner Kenny Siegel at the signing of a proclamation designating Oct. 6 through 12 as National 4-H Week. Front from left are Liam Sralla, Breanna Tilton and Caiden Roberts. Middle row from left are Commissioner Siegel and Judge Mudd. Back row from left are 4-H members Emery Haas, Ellasyn Klekar, Ryan Janak, Keely Knesek, Nathan Henke, Jaxson Roberts and Braylee Hanslik. Contributed photo
    Local Lavaca County 4-H members pose with County Judge Keith Mudd and commissioner Kenny Siegel at the signing of a proclamation designating Oct. 6 through 12 as National 4-H Week. Front from left are Liam Sralla, Breanna Tilton and Caiden Roberts. Middle row from left are Commissioner Siegel and Judge Mudd. Back row from left are 4-H members Emery Haas, Ellasyn Klekar, Ryan Janak, Keely Knesek, Nathan Henke, Jaxson Roberts and Braylee Hanslik. Contributed photo

    At the Monday, Sept. 23 Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court meeting, the court approved a proclamation designating Oct. 6 through 12 as National 4-H Week in Texas.

    At the meeting, Lavaca County extension agents, Natalie Knesek and Shannon Deforest informed the court about the various programs that involving county 4-H organizations.

    Knesek said last year they had 395 students in 4-H, which was considered the highest enrollment in 15 years. Also, they reach other students in the area through short term programs that include the Children’s Health Party

    She said they had members represent Lavaca County at national shooting sports contests as well as participating in the Texas Leadership Conference in Washington D.C.

    Knesek also said they had 250 students participate in the local livestock shows and 237 students participate in the digital county photo contest and around 60 who took part in the food and nutrition program.

    “What we do as county agents is very diverse, myself in agriculture and natural resources and Natalie in family and community health, but with all the things we do, the most visible to the public is our youth program,” Deforest said.

    Regarding designating National 4-H Week, the proclamation stated the Texas 4-H Youth Development Program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has provided experience-based education to youth throughout the Lone Star State for the past 116 years.

    “The program seeks to provide learning experience for all youth through their head, heart, hands and health, and helps acquire knowledge, develop life skills and form attitudes to enable them to become self-directed, productive and contributing members of our society,” the proclamation stated.

    The 4-H program has over 550,000 urban, suburban and rural youth participate ranging from age eight to 18 and come from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and truly represent a cross-section of the state.

    “Throughout its proud history, the 4-H program has developed positive role models for countless Texans through its innovative and inspiring programs, and continues to build character and instill the values that made our state strong,” the proclamation said.

    In addition, the court approved a proclamation designating Tuesday, Oct. 2 as Children’s Health Day.

    Kids’ Health Party:

    The 20th Annual Kids Health Party was held yesterday, (Tuesday) and involved all fifth grade students, who attend a school in Lavaca County.

    Knesek said the Kids Health Party was the brain child of Nancy Fuhrken.

    According to Knesek, the party is 100% funded through community donations and volunteer support and this year will involve 353 students participating from the 11 schools in the county.

    “Over the past 20 years, the Kids’ Health Party has reached over 6,000 youth and the investments made by donors have returned $100,927 to our economy,” Knesek said. “Thanks to the generous support from area businesses and organizations. The event would be impossible without this support and the support of over forty volunteers.”

    Knesek said the Kids’ Health Party is in partnership between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Department of State Health Services, and in cooperation with the Victoria College School of Nursing.

    She said at this year’s party, the students attended several 10 to 20 minute lessons and were instructed on various health-related topics.