LETTER: Woman thanks 4-H on behalf of herself, daughter

To the editor:

I would like to extend my sincerest thank you to all the members of the Clay County 4H and especially the Kiddin Around Goat Club. 4H has been "designed to prepare young people to be leaders in their community and around the world through hands on experiences along side their peers and caring adults."

There is no finer example than the young people of Clay County that have been involved with helping my daughter reach her full potential. Many of you know my daughter Lizzy. For most young people with autism there are difficulties in participating in social activities. Several years ago, Marlene Schopmeyer Halfhill, encouraged me to allow Lizzy to join 4H and the Kiddin Around Goat Club.

As a parent I was apprehensive. How would she participate fully and how would the other kids treat her? Everyone involved exemplified the core values: Head (managing, thinking), Heart (relating, caring), Hands (giving, working), and Health (being, living).

I truly believe that those 4Hers learned just as much from Lizzy as she learned from them. The adults and young people went above and beyond to help Lizzy. Especially when they allowed her to stay and participate past her high schools years.

In honor of Lizzy I would like to encourage your children to join 4H. Take the pledge and help be a catalyst to change the world.

"I pledge my head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty. My hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world."

Thank you.

Kim Kingery-Bourff

Brazil