4-H Mini Talent Explosion highlights cultural arts

Mini Talent Explosion is a 4-H Communication and Cultural Arts Event that highlights music, drama, demonstrations, public speaking, arts, crafts and photography.  It is one of the many opportunities 4-H provides members to practice and improve their skills in communication and cultural arts.

 4-H Clubs who perform a musical or drama learn how to work together as a team and the importance of carrying through with individual commitments because of their responsibility to the group.  Individual 4-H members in speaking, interpretive reading and demonstrations learn how to organize their thoughts, express their ideas clearly and techniques to create adequate visual aids.  No matter what event the 4-H member or club enters in the 4-H Mini Talent, every participant develops more poise and confidence in front of an audience. Clubs and individuals were selected in Music and Demonstrations to participate at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis this August.

In the Music Event, the Roberts Ribbon Reapers 4-H Club was selected to perform their musical at the Wisconsin State Fair.  Directed by Bob Feyereisen and Dawn Budrow, the Roberts Ribbon Reapers 4-H Club performed “WRRR Radio”.  Cast members included Jerusha Betzold, Jessica Betzold, Camille Budrow, McKenzie Budrow, Megan Feyereisen, RJ Feyereisen, Ryan Knapton, Grace Mansell, Lucy Mansell, Kathryn Mohrhauser, Nicholas Mohrhauser, Jack Pederson, Nic Pederson and Tyler Sippl.

The Trail Blazers 4-H club performed “The 4-H Wizard of Oz”.  The cast, directed by Ann Meagher, Christina Dobberstein and Jessica Meagher, included Rachel Bohlen, Lauren Canniff, Jared Dobberstein, Levi Dobberstein, Samantha Jensen, Adaire MacSwain, Kayli Marshall, Erin McMichael, Shannon McMichael and Samantha Stidham. The Sunnyside Shamrocks 4-H Club, performed “The Wizard of Oz”, directed by Heather Clark and Bonnie Walters. The Sunnyside Shamrocks’ cast members include Riley Berends, Jim Buttles, Mae Buttles, Jessica Jarvis, Ellen Lindquist, Jenny Lindquist, Hannah Ludtke, Leslie Ludtke and Libby Wagner.

Four 4-H clubs performed in the mini drama category, along with one in the on stage drama category. Rolling Hills 4-H Club performed “Marvin and Jesse: The Case”.  “The Web Files” was performed by Double Good 4-H Club. Lone Pine 4-H Club performed “Dragon Troubles” and Roberts Ribbon Reapers 4-H Club performed “Monsters Eat Whiney Children.”  The Golden Fireballs 4-H club performed in the on stage drama category.

4-H members also have the opportunity to participate in individual events at the Mini Talent Explosion.  Nathan Thompson (Lone Pine 4-H Club) with a demonstration “Chickens” and Jaxon Renn (Rolling Hills 4-H Club) with her demonstration entitled “Just a Spark” were selected to participate in the 2013 Wisconsin State Fair.

A county-wide event involving 11 4-H clubs and over 100 4-H members could not be possible without the help of 4-H volunteers.  Thank you to the adult volunteers Rosemary Donahoe and Debbie Walters, and to the 4-H Ambassadors!

If you would like more information on the 4-H program in St. Croix County, contact Marie Witzel, UWEX 4-H Youth Development Agent, at 715-531-1930.