4-H Stories....
Todd Austin
Todd Austin is a mortgage loan originator working in Gallatin, Tennessee. He was a Macon County 4-H member, where he excelled in 4-H club work. Here is Todd's story...
I would never have had a 4-H story had my mother, Linda Austin, not MADE me participate in 4-H in 4th grade. I now see it as one of those things my mother knew was good for me, but I had to realize for myself -- like eating broccoli and playing the piano. I can remember how those first years started, her coaxing me along, doing most of the work on my projects herself, laboring on posters and speeches. And throughout the rest of my competitive years in 4-H, my mom worked to help me succeed. I eventually enjoyed everything 4-H had to offer and participating was no longer a chore. My mom pushed me to be my best, even if “my best” wasn't enough to be “the best” in a particular event or competition. Mom continues as a 4-H volunteer in many projects and activities, and also is a coach to her grandchildren who are just beginning to realize the beauty of this club. So I had to start my story by recognizing its foundation - the best person I've ever met, my mom.
My memories of 4-H are numerous, and I think of them often and fondly. Besides my mother, the next greatest influence on my 4-H life was Steve Walker, extension leader in Macon County. His reputation around the state speaks for itself, and I was lucky that his wife and my mom were best friends and business partners. Steve polished my skills in all my projects, which included personal development, leadership, citizenship, public speaking, and sheep. I helped his family show their flock of sheep and still feel guilty that I had a district Grand Champion market lamb instead of his daughter, Christi. Along with baseball and church revivals, sheep shows kept my summers interesting and fun.
I'll skip forward to when my 4-H story peaked, and unfortunately, it is the same time that most 4-Hers begin to drop out of the club. My high school 4-H experiences were by far the single most influential years of my life. I was fortunate to compete and win my project at the state level three times, twice in personal development and once in public speaking. Winning the Senior High level II in personal development won me a trip to National 4-H Congress in Memphis. However, I learned more from the times that I lost than from those I won. That is what 4-H did for me - I learned that winning is a really rewarding and gratifying experience, but losing gracefully and realizing that the experience was worth more than the reward is what life is all about.
I suppose my greatest achievement was being the 1996 4-H Congress Governor. It allowed me to learn the governmental and leadership process, and more importantly just how much preparation goes into planning and organizing a huge event like Congress. It allowed me to meet then-Governor Don Sundquist, meteorologist Lelan Statom, and many other notable people.
After winning Governor, I set my sights upon State Council President. Running at State Roundup, I wound up as the vice-president, getting beaten by one of the most impressive young people I've ever met, Laura Lefler. Not only did I lose to her, I knew without a doubt that she was more capable and more deserving to be the head of State Council than I. Those experiences are what I take more than anything else from my 4-H career. 4-H Roundup also allowed me to meet one of my favorite athletes -- Peyton Manning.
There have been so many people to influence my life through 4-H. The state leaders, Ben Powell and Martha Jo Tolley, were so kind and encouraging and very good role models for all 4-H'ers. As I graduated high school, I was fortunate enough to be asked to serve on the boards of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation and the Tennessee 4-H Alumni Foundation. To see people like June Thompson, who has dedicated her life to being a 4-H ambassador, makes me want to strive to be a good person and stay active with such a wonderful entity. My 4-H influences are too plentiful to name each one, but the lessons I carry on a daily basis from what 4-H has taught me lead my steps toward a beautiful life.