Junior Category – Paisley Boulton, Durham West
How 4-H Is Changing My Life
Paisley Boulton is a 13-year-old girl who attends the Durham West 4-H Sheep Club. To help Paisley overcome her shyness and social struggles, her parents enrolled her in 4-H, utilizing her fondness for animals to help her conquer her social anxiety. Paisley said, “There is something comforting about having an animal present when you feel uneasy”. Early on, Paisley would sometimes become distressed in the show ring due to being the center of attention with everyone present. She also attended a pizza club monthly, where she would remain silent and not speak to anyone, Thankfully, Paisley’s team of leaders and senior members showed remarkable commitment by working collaboratively to find solutions to help reduce her anxiety.
This year is Paisley’s third season in the Durham West 4-H sheep club. She attended her achievement day last weekend and had an impressive second-place finish in showmanship. Paisley wishes to inform everyone that despite doubts, capabilities exist. Throughout her journey in 4-H, She feels that she has been consistently encouraged and uplifted by those around me, leading to confidence that has positively impacted my social skills and academic achievements. To assist Paisley in dealing with difficult situations and lending a helping hand to the sheep club, her dad was asked to be the assistant 4-H sheep leader.
What does 4H mean to you? It is where we all can get involved, and feel accepted, valued, and heard. It is a safe place where I am developing life skills, learning to be a leader, and learning self-confidence. This year, Paisley unexpectedly expressed interest in joining the 4-H crops club, which was encouraged by the presence of a senior member of the 4-H sheep club. Despite the age differences among the junior and senior members, the team fosters a universally encouraging and inclusive environment. She has learned to confront her fears and embrace opportunities, acknowledging the daily battle, but understands that fear can lead to missed experiences. Her participation in the crops club earned her several ribbons for her
homegrown flowers and vegetables exhibited at local fairs. She identified an interest in agriculture and is considering a career in it.
Paisley serves as a press reporter for two clubs, focusing on sheep and crops. “She said when she was nominated she was terrified of the role”. She took the initiative by writing a summary with photos after each meeting and requesting her parent’s input, making it a valuable experience for me. She learned time management and the value of committing to a position and fulfilling its responsibilities. None of this would have been achievable without the 4-H community, It has consistently demonstrated acceptance, encouragement, and dedication.
When asked about an absence of 4-H, “she said her path forward would be unclear”. She aspires to contribute to her community and excel as a press reporter for Durham West, while encouraging youth involvement and supporting opportunities, hoping to inspire increased support for 4-H.
Senior Category – Grace Piper, Oxford
The Impact of 4-H on Grace Piper
Growing up Grace always had a fascination for animals, more specifically, farm animals. Her big dream at the ripe age of 5 was to milk a cow, and not with one of those cool robots that were all the rage at the time, but by hand on top of a bucket like what she had done at dairy days and local fairs. One problem, she didn’t live on a farm. However, living in a rural community had its advantages. Her mom got talking to another parent during a home and school meeting where they suggested Grace join 4-H when she turned 9. Grace counted down the days until she could register.
When the big day came Grace found the dairy club to be, well, a bit overwhelming for a girl who’s only knowledge about cows came from videos she’d watch in health class about the importance of drinking milk. Naturally, Grace was a bit disappointed. That was until her mom enrolled her in another project. It was called Trash to Treasure and this time it wasn’t about animals. Over the course of 6 weeks Grace learned the importance of recycling, the effects overconsumption has on the world, and how she could help fix the problem. But the best part? Grace made friends that opened her eyes to all the possibilities that 4-H had to offer. She learned new life skills like collaboration and communication that she could use in her everyday life. Grace also met and continues to meet incredible leaders, volunteers, and role models who have helped her in so many ways in and outside of 4-H. The advice and guidance they have given to her has shaped who she is as a person and has helped to teach her who she wants to become. Through these leaders and their connections, recommendations, and support, Grace has won many 4-H awards, contests, and has even gotten some great job offers!
Grace’s life slowly started to change as she fell in love with 4-H. Over the course of the next six years she took 40 different projects ranging from quilting to nature conservation and even pickling! As she got older she got to take part in amazing regional and provincial opportunities like Go For The Gold and Youth Adventure camp. This is where she learned confidence and keeping an open mind when meeting new people. At camp she was also given a deeper understanding of skills she already gained from 4-H; goal setting, teamwork, communication and collaboration. She also had the opportunity to use the skills she had learned like public speaking and networking, in different environments such as participating in speech competitions and science contests.
4-H has taken Grace so far and she’s so excited to see what the rest of her years will look like as a 4-Her! Oh and by the way, Grace met an amazing friend who convinced her to take the dairy club again and now she can’t believe she didn’t love it the first time.
About the Amber Underwood Memorial News Competition
The Amber Underwood Competition was created to honor the memory of Amber Underwood, who grew up on a farm in Norfolk County and graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. Amber’s deep passion for writing and her strong commitment to 4-H inspired the establishment of this competition in 1989, following her passing. This annual event encourages 4-H youth to explore and develop their skills in writing and journalism, fostering a love for storytelling that Amber herself cherished. This competition is supported by the Amber Underwood Memorial 4-H News Competition Award Fund.
Are you passionate about writing or storytelling? We invite all 4-H youth to participate in next year’s Amber Underwood Competition! Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this is an incredible opportunity to share your voice, hone your skills, and be part of a long-standing 4-H tradition.
Stay tuned for more details on how you can be involved. Let’s celebrate Amber’s love for writing by telling your story.