4-H Stories....
Julie Mills Galloway
Julie Mills Galloway is Director/Advisor - Division of Basic Business, Tennessee Tech University. She is a former president of Tennessee 4-H Alumni, Inc. Here is her 4-H story:
You'd think this story would be easy to write; after all, it's my 4-H story. I experienced it. It's about me. I've come to realize, though, that this is one of the hardest stories to accurately convey, because it continues to grow and change with me.
My 4-H story has so many different chapters: young 4-Her, junior high and senior 4-Her, friends, agents and leaders, camp, college 4-H, “adult” leader (still use that term loosely in reference to myself), 4-H Alumni and Foundation involvement, and more. I could run down my list of accomplishments...State Congress Governor, state council member, National Winner in Saftey, Presidential Tray finalist, honor club and All-Star member, Vol State award. These experiences were blessings in my life and have certainly shaped who I am.
This story also has so many characters ...my agents, Scott Chadwell and Donna Clouse, and others who adopted me....Margaret Pile, Carolyn Fox, Teresa Goddard, Bill Adcock and the rest of the “cowboy crew”, and so many others. When I was in 4-H, I took their presence and support for granted. Now, with a family of my own, I more fully appreciate the sacrifices they made in miles on their cars, time away from their families, listening to music they really didn't like...just so we could experience what 4-H had to offer.
I met people (like Charlie Daniels!), saw places (Washington, Chicago), and experienced things (addressed 400+ at Congress and survived!) in ways that only 4-H could have provided. And I did it all with a group of people who not only taught but truly believed that each one of us was valuable, regardless of family name, income, or the number of awards we won. In that atmosphere of support, I learned how to win and, more importantly, how to lose, without feeling I was better or worse than the one beside me. 4-H is one of the few organizations that continue to teach that lesson.
“Learning by Doing” is such an accurate statement for 4-H. Yes, I learned so much in project work and contests. But I also learned the value of appreciation, of encouragement, of giving. 4-H gave me my first lessons in professionalism, which I apply every day in my job now. Through 4-H, I not only learned to speak before groups of people and convey information effectively, but also to listen to the one sitting with me, which is imperative to me now as a college academic advisor. I also learned the value of a name...and how to accurately spell it...after I misspelled Gov. Ned McWherter's name as I autographed (he wanted MY autograph - imagine!) in the first copy of “4-H: A Tennessee Tradition.” He was gracious enough not to point out my mistake.
A few weeks ago, I attended the senior luncheon at Round-up in Knoxville. My first thought was...can't believe it's been 16 years since I was in their shoes. My second thought was...it all still feels the same. That “feeling” is the positive environment where young people are encouraged to do their best, set goals, work and play, and acquire the skills to be productive citizens. I am proud to be a product of 4-H, and I continue to look forward to the next chapter of my story....