Local youths represent Saline Co. at 4-H Day event held at Capitol

Saline County was well represented at 4-H Day at the Capitol.

Seven members of Saline County 4-H attended the daylong festivities on Feb. 28 to learn about state government, meet legislators and share their 4-H experience.

For some, it was their first visit to the Arkansas Capitol.

Participating members included Hannah Moix, Ruthie Moix, Ada Huchingson, Leah Huchingson, Ian Price, Noah Draper, Stephani Huchingson, and 4-H County AgentKristal Draper.

“I was surprised by how busy the Capitol was! There were so many different groups,” said 4-H member Ruthie Moix.

Saline County 4-H members were among the more than

400 Arkansas 4-H members, agents, leaders, and volunteers from 52 of the state’s 75 counties who participated.

“I was surprised to see so many 4-H kids there in one

place and was amazed by what our representatives had to say,” said 4-H member Ada

Huchingson.

The gathering is usually held every other year when the Legislature is in session. The 2021 event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I was surprised that the Capitol had so many different people working there and that I was able to get out of my comfort zone,” said 4-H member Leah Huchingson.

4-H members learned about the roles of the state’s constitutional officers and heard from

many of them, including Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge, Attorney General Tim Griffin, Treasurer Mark Lowery, Secretary of State John Thurston, and Commissioner of State Lands Tommy Land.

Griffin urged the 4-H members to get to know their elected officials.

“A lot of people get to know their elected officials only when they need something. That’s the wrong way to do it,” Griffin told the group. “Get to know your elected officials early in life. Learn the process. Develop meaningful relationships now, so that when you become a community leader — and you will be — you will know people. When leaders

know other leaders, they can’t be stopped.”

Saline County 4-H members did just that. They visited with Senator Matt McKee and discussed what a senator does and his background. 4-H members then talked about their 4-H projects and what they like about 4-H. after meeting with

the Senator McKee, 4-H member Hannah Moix, said she “enjoyed meeting our senator, learning about the real person, and how someone does care about our county.”

Throughout the day, 4-H members watched sessions taking place in the House, Senate, and Arkansas Supreme Court.

They also heard resolutions read aloud in the House and Senate, recognizing the positive impact of the Arkansas 4-H program on youth, and proclaiming Feb. 28 as 4-H Day.

The group also visited the Treasurer’s Office, where they got to stand inside the vault and hold $600,000 in cash.

The event gives 4-H members an opportunity to see government in action and encourages them to think about citizenship and civic responsibility — tenets of the 4-H program, along with leadership, healthy living and science and technology.