4-H Stories....
Emily Osterhaus
Emily Osterhaus is a 4-H agent in Bedford County, Tennessee. Here's how Emily's 4-H story begins...
I started my 4-H career in the 5th grade at DeKalb County Middle School. Janet Hale, Steve Officer and Ron Rogers were the agents at the time. I moved in the middle of the year and was so confused about 4-H that I really did not want to be a part of it. Then we started having biscuit and corn bread baking contests and I thought that was cool. So by the time I hit 6th grade I was an officer and participating in every activity I possibly could. People that know me now have a hard time believing that I was once a shy, timid little girl. The first time I ever spoke in front of a group was at the 4-H speech contest. I thought I was going to throw up! In fact, my friend Polly ran off the stage she was so nervous. I really wanted to follow her, but I didn't.
After 7th grade my parents decided to move to Wilson County. I think Mrs. Janet phoned Ms. Glenda Booker to let her know I would be coming because I had not been in Wilson County for long when I got a call from the 4-H office. I am so glad she did! Ms. Booker discovered that I could sew a little, so she get me involved in the Clothing Projects and Fashion Revues. I loved to travel so Mr. Beaty got me involved in the Exchange Group. I don't think I could even name all the places I have been with 4-H: Colorado, Louisiana, Washington, D.C., Arkansas and all over the state of Tennessee. Ms. Booker was always calling me to see if I wanted to go here or there. I don't think I ever said no.
I, too, was one of those 4-H'ers that competed at Roundup and was never a state winner. But when I look back on my 4-H career, that is not what I think about. It's all the friends I made, all the places I went and especially all the encouragement I received from Ms. Booker to just keep on trying. That is the reason that I just couldn't leave 4-H, so I became a 4-H agent. I want other youth to have the experiences that I had. Those of meeting new people and making new friends, learning responsibility, traveling and being on your own and just having a great time. Ms. Booker was a great 4-H agent and still is a great volunteer and I sure hope I can do for our youth as much as she did for me!