4-H Stories....
Tamira Cole
From Tamira Cole, former Tennessee 4-H Foundation Board Member and a current junior at Austin Peay University:
I remember it like it was yesterday. The 2002 Tennessee 4-H State Roundup. It was a long time coming. Nine years as a Madison County 4-H'er and the friends, fun memories of previous Roundups, State Congress, national trips, District All Star and State Council members were about to come to a close. For three years I constantly chased the dream of being a state winner but each time I came up short.
Throughout my 4-H career, I was always guided by my loving 4-H agent Sharon Tubbs, my mother Bonita, and of course county staff and adult volunteer leaders, one in which.....impacted the end of my active 4-H career drastically. Mrs. Carol McBride had been a 4-H'er and county agent for several years. Her three sons were in 4-H and her husband Mark had passed on the FFA tradition as well. I, along with her oldest son Matthew, pursued two dreams, those of being state/national officers of 4-H and FFA. Except, my other organization was HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America).
That year, Mrs. McBride decided to work personally with me to give my recordbook that edge that it needed and even much more important.......challenging me to look deep inside of myself to really tell "my 4-H story." On the second day of Roundup (competition day), I got up and was ready to go. I had nothing to lose, I kept saying to myself. Whatever the outcome what God has given me through my experiences in 4-H is amazing and can't be made through a 4-H tray or trip to Congress.
Still, my heart wondered and I wanted to know if I would ever reach National 4-H Congress. "Tamira, you're next," said Mrs. McBride. She was our adult volunteer leader for the Personal Development project. I went in to the interview and cried!!!!!!!!! All of a sudden, the judges asked me what was my most memorable 4-H experience and in 10 seconds 9 years flooded my mind and my heart. See, 4-H for me was an opportunity to meet new people, find life long friends, travel, learn, develop leadership and public speaking skills, find a family and most importantly...........grow as an individual with unique talents. Without 4-H, I don't think I would had ever became as confident as I am now, or even worse, I would never have crossed paths with all of these amazing people with stories to tell all across the state and country.
I walked out of the interview with a smile and with the thought of making it to Roundup again as a blessing. "How did it go?" said Mrs. McBride. "Well, I cried," I said wiping away crocodile tears. "Listen, Tamira whether you are the winner tonight or not, just think of all the things you've gotten to experience in 4-H. Look at yourself, look at how 4-H has influenced you," Mrs. McBride said. "You're right!" I quickly wished the other competitors good luck and told them not to worry.
Later that night I dressed up for my final Roundup Awards Banquet as an active member. I took some pictures and headed to the Elam Center. The food was great and everyone looked outstanding but still my stomach had a terrible feeling of knots and turns. "You're going to win Tamira, I feel it," said Keisha Martin one of my close friends. "No, I doubt it, but I think you will win," I said with a chuckle trying to keep my mind off of the task at hand.
"Good luck," I whispered. "You too!" said Keisha. "Oh no," I thought -- it was time for Personal Development. As I walked on stage I could feel the light beaming on my round little head and my stomach stuffed from eating. "I don't know why I selected a white pageant gown to wear," I thought to myself. "And the Level I Winner”, said Steve Sutton “is Brittney McGruder.” “Yeah!” I thought. Brittney and I were very close because we were in the same District and roomed together at Congress.
It seemed like the longest five minutes of my 4-H career, just standing there ready for one of the other four finalists' name to be called out. “And the Level II Winner is...... Tamira Cole, Madison County.” “Oh my goodness!” I thought. I just stopped, I cried and couldn't even hold the tray! Wow! That moment was one of the happiest moments of my life. It wasn't because of reaching a goal, but the journey involved. 4-H has taught me so much. The things that I have learned have made me a better person, leader, community volunteer, daughter and a young person ready to achieve her dreams. I don't know what my life would be like without 4-H.
I am so thankful and proud to be a 4-H alumnus. Now, today at 20, I want to pass along my story to help motivate and encourage dozens of other young people. “Let 4-H impact your life,” is my message. Let it give you years of memories day by day -- memories that will last a life time.