More than 300 Arkansas 4-H members are back home after four days of competitions, workshops and tours at the annual Arkansas 4-H State O-Rama at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
4-H members from 53 Arkansas counties participated in the annual event, which ended July 24. They competed in 40 events to showcase their knowledge and skills in project areas ranging from archery to veterinary science.
“Our 4-H kids are developing the life skills they need to function as teenagers, and that carries over into their college years and into adulthood,” 4-H Event Coordinator Priscella Thomas-Scott said. “They also fellowship with kids from all across the state and form lasting friendships.”
While 4-H members do year-round community service in their respective counties, they seized an opportunity to help families in Texas affected by the floods. They collected gifts cards totaling nearly $1,000 that will be sent to Texas 4-H to distribute to families in need.
During the week, the Arkansas 4-H Foundation also awarded more than $100,000 to 4-H members for their achievements and for college scholarships.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
For many 4-H members, being at O-Rama was their first time on a college campus, and they got a sneak peek at university life: They stayed in dorms, ate in the university cafeteria, toured the UA campus and the UA athletic facilities, and attended a career fair at the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences where they met staff and faculty from various academic programs.
SKILLS ON DISPLAY
During competitive events, 4-H members showcase their knowledge and skills developed through their 4-H project work. 4-H offers more than 50 project areas related to the 4-H core tenets of healthy living, science, civic engagement and leadership. Many 4-H members start with one main project but venture into others.
Carroll County 4-H member Oliva Kossman, 18, loves both science and performing arts. She competed in the vocal competition, but has shown goats and cattle for 13 years in 4-H. She plans to study agricultural business at College of the Ozarks — and also auditioned for the college choir.
“It’s all about encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and try something new,” said Thomas-Scott.
THE 4-H WAY: LEARNING BY DOING
Chloe Royce, 17, joined White County 4-H after moving to Arkansas from Arizona last year.
“I’m home-schooled, and I wanted to make friends and have new experiences,” she said.
With a love of sewing, she quickly found her niche in the Fashion Revue — Constructed project.
Royce learned to sew with her great-grandmother, who made and wore what she called “clown suits” — matching pant and tops, usually in bright colors or loud patterns. For the competition, Royce made and modeled a two-piece ensemble in animal print.
“The stretch stitch was the toughest for me to learn,” she told the judges. “I had to learn to use a newer sewing machine.”
Outdoor sports are always popular, said 4-H Outdoor Sports instructor Jesse Bocksnick, who coordinated archery, ATV, and gun safety and BB shooting events.
Ten people competed in the ATV safety competition, which required them to pass a written test and a safety test before riding.
“They have to demonstrate they can ride properly in different scenarios — such as making quick turns, traversing a hill, and over obstacles,” Bocksnick said.
At the bicycle competition, youth zigzagged between tennis balls placed 5 inches apart to demonstrate skills.
In performing arts, 4-H members showcased their skills singing, dancing and playing musical instruments.
Boone County 4-Her Lynzy Simon clogged her way to first place in the dance competition to Dolly Parton’s “Firecracker,” while Esther Millsap, 15, of Benton County, won the vocal competition with her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical Les Misérables.
Other 4-H members showed their savviness in the Consumer Decision Making competition, which required them to analyze options in wearable technology, event venues and dental floss.
“It’s all about analytical thinking for consumer decision-making, which we all have to do,” said Laura Hendrix, professor of personal finance and consumer economics for the Division of Agriculture. “They have to set aside their feelings about brands and think about specific criteria for quality and pick the product that best meets consumer needs.”
Many state winners now advance to national competitions.
Channing Ashworth from Washington County won first place in both impromptu speech and fashion revue. She’ll advance to national competitions in Denver and San Antonio.
NEW OFFICERS
Arkansas 4-H members elected a new slate of officers during O-Rama. The 2025-26 state officer team includes:
President — Christian Trombley, Howard County;
First Vice President — Vallie Yancey, Madison County;
Secretary — Dawson Dooly, Columbia County;
State Reporter — Alena Senn, Union County;
Delta District Vice President– Sadie Lillard, White County;
Ouachita District Vice President — Opal Samons, Montgomery County;
Ozark District Vice President — Karly Jones, Sebastian County.
Arkansas 4-H is the largest youth development program in the state. Programs are open to youth ages 5-19 in every county in Arkansas. To learn more, visit 4h.uada.edu or contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.
Tracy Courage is with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
