- Author: Ashley Pyler
Inside a Presenter's Journey to State Field Day in a COVID Year
By Ashley Pyler, Teen Leader, Record Books & Presentation Project
As someone who has consistently participated in 4-H Presentations for the past 5 years, I can be the first to testify to the fact that participating in Presentations can be fun because of how unpredictable it can be, but this year, the spontaneity has been taken to a whole new level.
Usually, presenters must attend and qualify at two in-person competitions before being allowed to present at State Field Day. This year, there was no in-person 4-H events with no more than 10 people permitted due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. There can often be as many as 2,000 people at a State Field Day Event, so all presentation events were moved to a virtual format.
Each year, there are three levels of competition; County, Regional (formerly known as Sectional), and State. Normally, a presenter can only move forward to the next round of competition if they receive a Gold Medal (the highest rank obtainable), but since this year is more challenging due to everything being virtual, presenters were allowed to move forward with a Gold Medal or a Blue Seal (the rank just below a Gold). I will now tell you about what qualifying for State looked like this year in this new virtual format through the eyes of a presenter.
The journey to State Field Day for presenters began in February. They spent numerous hours preparing their presentations: practicing them in front of their parents and other family members, perfecting them with Project Leaders and Teen Leaders on Zoom Calls, and making sure that they were perfect come Tri-County 4-H Presentation Day, the very first level of competition.
Tri-County 4-H Presentation Day took place April 8th-10th. This event took place over three days because there were more participants than usual. This event is usually just for our county, and the event is known as Ventura County 4-H Presentation Day, and takes place in February or March. The past two years, County has been in April since all events have been pushed back due to the virtual format. Since it is virtual, we decided to join forces with two other counties (Riverside and Kings), to make it a Tri-County Event.
In addition to presentations, members also participated in the Interview Contest and Fashion Review at the Tri-County Competition. All of our County's participants at the event represented Ventura County with great maturity, poise, and did very well in all of the different events that they competed in. Each of the Ventura County 4-H'ers qualified with one or more events at Regional, which is the next level of competition.
For more information about Tri-County 4-H Presentation Day and the results of 4-H'ers in our County, click here
This year, presenters that made it past County Competition picked a time slot from April 10th-24th to compete at Regional 4-H Presentation Day. Usually, each region has its own qualifying event for State Field Day, but due to the virtual format and shortage of evaluators, it was easier and more efficient to have all of the areas do one event together, called Regional 4-H Presentation Day. Ventura County is in the southern region, so our sectional event is called Southern Area 4-H Field Day, and normally takes place at Mount San Antonio Community College in Walnut in April or the first week of May at the latest.
The judging at Regional 4-H Presentation Day was quite strict this year; some of our County's best presenters either barely made it past the judging, or their journey in 4-H Presentations for 2021 ended here. However, for the exceptional presenters that went the extra mile to prepare and spent additional hours upon hours to get ready for this day, they were rewarded for their hard work, and were given the ticket to present at State Field Day.
State Field Day took place May 8th-22nd, which is much earlier than it usually is. It usually either takes place on the last Saturday in May, or the first Saturday in June. State usually is a one-day, in-person event that is held at the California 4-H Headquarters: University of California Davis (UCD) in the city of Davis.
One of the things that makes State unique is not only is it the biggest event since it represents all of California, but it has the most competitions and contests available for participants. In addition to Presentations, the Interview Contest, and Fashion Review, the other competitions at State Field Day include: Film Festival, Photography, Plant Science, Robotics, Coding, and Shark Tank Inventions. There are usually even more contests at the in-person event, such as Entomology (Bugs) and a Logo Contest.
This year, four Ventura County 4-H members qualified for State Presentations. A total of eight participated at the event. Since these members have already worked hard for several months to get here, they were more than ready by the time competition day came.
Ventura County was well represented at State; our county received a total of 9 Gold Medals, and 3 Platinum Seals (a Platinum is only available at State, and is basically a Gold, except the participant must get a perfect score from all of their evaluators). To see the names of the State Field Day winners from Ventura County 4-H, scroll to the end of this article.
Now that Presentations are over for this year, presenters can be proud of their work, and read their evaluation sheets to improve for next year. Presentation Day Awards can be counted in the 4-H Record Book and on college applications. If you would like to do 4-H Presentations next year, please consider joining the 4-H Record Books & Presentation Practice Project. My family has led it for 4 years, and we would be happy to help you put together a presentation for competition next year.
Ashley Pyler, Loma Vista 4-H
Senior Cultural Arts Presentation – Platinum Seal
Senior Interview Contest – Platinum Seal
Senior Film Festival – Blue Seal
Senior Photography Contest – Red Seal/Red Seal
Adeline Vertucci, Loma Vista 4-H
Intermediate Interpretive Reading – Platinum Seal
Mathew Ziegler, Loma Vista 4-H
Senior Illustrated Talk Presentation – Gold Medal
Senior Interview Contest – Blue Seal
Sammy Belik, Santa Rosa Valley 4-H
Intermediate Interpretive Reading – Gold Medal
Intermediate Interview Contest – Gold Medal
Intermediate Fashion Review – Gold Medal
Courtney Nunes, Santa Rosa Valley 4-H
Senior Photography Contest – Blue Seal/Blue Seal
Teagan Vanoni, Somis 4-H
Intermediate Photography – Gold Medal/Gold Medal
Brenna Vanoni, Somis 4-H
Junior Photography – Gold Medal/Blue Seal
Kylan J, Ventura County 4-H
Intermediate Photography – Gold Medal/Gold Medal
- Author: Valerie Zeko
Congratulations to our Ventura County 4-H'ers who participated in Virtual County Presentation Day! Those who won GOLD or BLUE can move on to the Regional Presentation Event which runs now until April 24.
Cultural Arts
- Ashley Pyler - GOLD
- Matthew Ziegler - GOLD
Demonstration/Illustrated Talk
- Kaylee Tan - GOLD
- Ashley Pyler - GOLD
- Matthew Ziegler - BLUE
Impromptu Speech
- Ashley Pyler - GOLD
Informative Prepared Speech
- Ashley Pyler - GOLD
Interpretive Reading
- Adeline Vertucci - GOLD
- Sammy Belik - GOLD
- Matthew Ziegler - GOLD
Interview
- Sammy Belik - GOLD
- Ashley Pyler - GOLD
- Author: Valerie Zeko
This year, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, our Ventura County 4-H Achievement Awards took place in a drive-in ceremony at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on November 15, 2020
Please scroll down to see every category of awards given.
2019-2020 Record Book Awards
PRIMARY
- Bailey Hargett, Conejo-Simi 4-H
o Record Book Participation Award
JUNIOR
- Sammy Belik, Conejo-Simi 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
- Jones Lees, Loma Vista 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
INTERMEDIATE
- Alexander Blomquist, Loma Vista 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
- Claire Boone, Santa Rosa Valley 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
- Anna Linehan, Conejo-Simi 4-H
o Record Book First Place Award
o Record Book Interview Award
- Rachel Lipscomb, Loma Vista 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
- Ashley Pyler, Loma Vista 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
- Kaylee Tan, Conejo-Simi 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
- Adeline Vertucci, Loma Vista 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
- Mathew Ziegler, Loma Vista 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
SENIOR
- Adler Streigel, Loma Vista 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
- Olivia Vertucci, Loma Vista 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
- Shelby Wright, Santa Rosa Valley 4-H
o Record Book Premium Medalist Award
o Record Book Interview Award
Presidential Volunteer Service Awards
Earned by members who complete community service in 4-H and their community.
- Sammy Belik, Conejo-Simi 4-H, earned the Gold Presidential Service Award in the Youth division for volunteering over 75 hours in 4-H and his community.
- Anna Sorenson, Conejo-Simi 4-H, earned the Gold Presidential Service Award in the Teen division for volunteering over 100 hours in 4-H and her community.
Emerald Star
The Emerald Star program is designed for intermediate and senior 4-H members who apply and complete a project that benefits 4-H members. Click here for info.
Ashley Pyler of Loma Vista 4-H earned her Emerald Star by planning and facilitating a 4-H Primary Field Day for our youngest 4-H members over Zoom.
Diamond Clover Award
The California Diamond Clover is the highest achievement for which a 4-H youth member is recognized. Diamond Clovers have been awarded to several of the highest achieving 4-H youth members since 2013. Click here for more info.
Anna Sorenson of Conejo-Simi 4-H earned her Diamond Clover this year! Congratulations!
Special Volunteer Recognition
Recognition Director Amylynn Robinson gave special recognition to Loma Vista 4-H Club Leader Julie Salomonson who planned and hosted a Virtual Youth Expo since the fair was cancelled this year due to the pandemic. Thank you for all your hard work, Julie!
Gold Club Charter Seals
Gold Club Charter Seals are given to clubs who go above and beyond the 14 minimum requirements in the Club Program Planning Guide. To earn a Gold Seal, clubs need to complete an extra 10 goals for a total of 24 goals.
- Sespe 4-H Club, led by Paula Estrella, completed 32 goals
- Somis 4-H Club, led by Anthony Santos, completed 26 goals
- Conejo-Simi 4-H Club, led by Edith Sorensen, completed 34 goals
- Loma Vista 4-H Club, led by Julie Salomonson, completed 41 goals
- Author: Ashley and Rachel
The Sustainable You! Summer Camp is an annual camp that is put on by the Ventura County 4-H Program and the City of Ventura each year in July. Usually, it is held at the University of California Hansen Agriculture Research and Extension Center (UC HAREC) in Santa Paula. This year, due to the Stay-At-Home Mandate brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic, the camp was held virtually via Zoom. We were the two Teen Helpers for the event. Here is what we did on each day:
DAY 1 - MONDAY, JULY 20TH
The theme of the first day of camp was Air Day. The campers answered questions to start off the day after a short icebreaker led by Ashley, otherwise referred to as journal questions. The kids then discussed their answers and viewpoints. They then learned about our atmosphere. I recall one section, where the kids learned about the sections of the atmosphere. The first layer, the Troposphere, stopping roughly ten miles above ground, is where the weather forms. It holds the layers upon layers of clouds that bring storms of rain, ice, and thunder. Planes fly in the Lower Stratosphere, the second layer, it is near thirty-one miles at it's highest. The Stratosphere holds the Ozone Layer; which blocks UV Rays. The Mesosphere, the third layer, at its tallest point is 42 miles above the earth's surface -average. The Mesosphere protects the earth from objects in space-meteors and asteroids. The Thermosphere is 446 miles above, it absorbs more of the Sun's UV Rays and X-Ray Radiation. The Exosphere is the final layer of all, about 311 miles above the ground.
DAY 2 - TUESDAY, JULY 21ST
The theme of the second day of camp was Land Day. The day started with another icebreaker led by Ashley and the journaling questions. Then, the campers learned how to better take care of the land around them, and we watched a video about a waste processing plant that is located right here in Ventura. After that, the participants were given an assignment to bring back and share the next day. The instructions for the activity was to head for a walk outside after camp and find as many objects that are on land as possible. The campers were then going to share their results the following day.
DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY, JULY 22ND
The theme of the third day of camp was Food Day. The day started with another icebreaker activity led by Ashley and the daily journaling questions. After that, the campers shared their results from the Hunt & Find Activity from the previous day. The campers then watched some educational videos to help them learn how to preserve food, along with how to keep food clean (which is an essential skill during the times of the Coronavirus). Some of the ideas campers learned on this day included what the different types of food are, where their food comes from, what kind of packaging their food comes in, and how to calculate food miles. The campers really seemed to enjoy this day's activity, as Food Day proved to be their favorite day of camp.
DAY 4 - THURSDAY, JULY 23RD
The theme of the fourth day of camp was Energy Day. The day started with another icebreaker activity led by Ashley and the daily journaling questions. After the campers got their lesson on energy, they got to play a fun game called ENERGY BINGO. Some of the terms related to energy that campers learn included: oil, natural gas, oil shale, tar sands, coal, nuclear, wood, municipal solid waste, biofuel/biodiesel, solar, hydroelectric, tidal, wave, wind, and geothermal. This proved to be a very enjoyable activity, as it got quite competitive among the campers!
DAY 5 - FRIDAY, JULY 24TH
The theme of the fifth and final day of camp was Water Day. The day started with another icebreaker activity led by Ashley and the daily journaling questions. Although the mood of the day was a bit sad since it was the last day of camp, everyone was still excited for the activities that were about to take place, and for everyone to have fun together one last time. The campers watched some videos on how to keep the water around them clean. Then, we watched a live experiment demonstrated by Ms. Stephanie Terry. She showed us how differently paper products (toilet paper, flushable wipes, tissues, and paper towels) dissolve into water. From this activity, campers learned that only toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet.
Although the camp wasn't the same as being held in person, the camp still proved to be very educational and enjoyable in the new virtual format. It is with high hopes that the Sustainable You! Summer Camp can be held back at the Santa Paula UC HAREC next July, but if we are still under these uncertain times, there will most definitely be a virtual camp. If you participated in this year's pilot virtual camp, thank you for participating, and we hope to see you next year, virtual or in-person!
- Author: Valerie Zeko
Congratulations to the following Ventura County 4-H'ers who participated in California State Field Day 2020! This event was all virtual this year, so we had more participation than ever before!
Ashley Pyler of Loma Vista 4-H won 3 Golds in the State 4-H Film Festival for her videos "Apple Goodness," "How to Use an Egg Slicer" and "How to Cook Deviled Eggs." She also won Gold in the State Interview Contest and Platinum in the State 4-H Presentation Day for her speech "Why Music Matters."
Andrew Pyler of Loma Vista 4-H won Platinum in the State 4-H Presentation Day for "The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark."
Sammy Belik of Conejo-Simi 4-H won Gold in the following contests:
- State 4-H Photography Contest: "A Sweet Pair."
- State 4-H Robotics Contest Level 1
- State 4-H Interview Contest
- State 4-H Film Festival: "The Cannon" and "The Amazing Hard-Boiled Egg Opener Demonstration."
- State 4-H Presentation Day: "Special Secret Hens Help Us Prevent Disease."
Adeline Vertucci of Loma Vista 4-H won Gold in the State 4-H Presentation Day for "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper.
Sofia Manzano of Mupu 4-H won Gold in the State 4-H Presentation Day for "How to Make Slime."
Olivia Blomquist of Loma Vista 4-H won Gold in the State 4-H Presentation Day for her original song "Heaven."
Alexander Blomquist of Loma Vista 4-H won Gold in the State 4-H Presentation Day for "What Makes Jam Jam!"
Courtney Nunes of Santa Rosa Valley 4-H won Gold in the State 4-H Photography Contest for her "Old Barn."
