July
8, 2004
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PHOTO
OPPS, SCHEDULE & MEDIA INFO
RIDING
THE WAVES OF SUCCESS, 4-H CONGRESS HITS THE SURF JULY 26
By: Kristin Guira:
(352) 846-0996 ext. 237, cellular (352) 278-0807
GAINESVILLE—Roll
out the red carpet and get ready for a party.
It’s going to be a doozy as a sea of green rushes
through UF’s orange and blue halls.
Nearly 500 4-H teens from 58 Florida counties will pour
into town July 26 for the annual green and white invasion called
State 4-H Congress for a week of fun, socializing and education.
Accompanied by more than nearly 100 adults, 4-H’ers
will participate in workshops, funshops, community service, and
competitive events, dedicating each day to Head, Heart, Health
and Hands – the 4 “H’s” in 4-H.
Monday
– Dorm Move-In Pandemonium, Rowdy Rally
Hundreds of people check into UF’s Graham Area dorms between
10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. carrying everything from ironing
boards to prom dresses. State
4-H Council campaigning begins at 1:00 p.m. with banners
plastering the dorms. 4-H district colors welcome teens to
the high-energy spirit rally at 7:15 p.m. in the Reitz Union
Auditorium with a “Pirates of the Clover Region” video spoof
of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and enough noise to do a rock
concert proud. The day culminates in a motivational address by
Kevin Wanzer. A
former David Letterman Show staff member, Wanzer’s
“Got Aloha?” message has moved, touched and inspired
millions of young people worldwide to embrace and live the aloha
spirit - focusing on attitude, loving yourself and others,
overcoming obstacles and having a sense of humor.
Tuesday:
“Hands Day” – Competitive Events, 4-H-A-Thon Service
Activity, Fashion Revue Hits Runway
State
competitions in categories like veterinary science, media arts,
food safety, horticulture judging, auto driving, and consumer
education. 4-H’ers
pledge their hands to larger service by walking, dribbling,
free-throwing, jump-roping, hackey-sacking, or hula-hooping the
afternoon away in the O’Connell Center to benefit the
Children’s Miracle Network, Ronald McDonald House and the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
State 4-H
Fashion Revue will feature more than 70 teens competing in
skill-a-thons. The
Pirates of the Caribbean Fashion Revue hits Reitz Union Ballroom
runway at 7:30 p.m. before a jam-packed audience.
Wednesday:
“Heart & Health Day” – Character Education, Health
Rotations, Youth Talent Show
Youth will develop life skills during morning Character
Education workshops, before the Community Pride luncheon salutes
4-H clubs for their volunteer service.
Afternoon rotations will cover a variety of health topics
during the Health Fair, Extreme Kids Physical Fitness and Health
Rocks! But the big
story of the day will be the talent competition at 7:00 p.m. at
the University Memorial Auditorium with 13 dance, vocal and
instrumental acts, followed by awards for competitive events.
Thursday:
“Head Day” – Workshops, Scholarships and Awards, Evening
Glamour
Youth engage their hands and minds during workshops in
drama, animal science, website design, photography, music, plant
science, marine research, entrepreneurship, and more.
Volunteers of the Year, scholarships and awards will be
presented during the “Midsummer Night’s Dream” evening
awards ceremony at the new Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.
4-H-A-Thon proceeds checks will be presented to three
charities.
|
**
PRESS COVERAGE INVITED FOR FLORIDA 4-H CONGRESS 2004**
Due to safety concerns, we ask that you please wear press
credentials or ID while covering 4-H Congress. |
|
FOR
REITZ EVENTS, MEDIA CHECK-IN AT CONGRESS DESK ON THE 2ND
FLOOR IN THE REITZ UNION.
CONTACT:
Kristin Guira, State 4-H PR Coordinator, office (352)
846-0996, cellular 278-0807, Congress Info Desk at the
Reitz Union 392-2151 ext. 1809, Late Evenings @ Reitz
Union Hotel, 392-2151 |
Date/Time
|
Event
|
Location
|
|
MONDAY,
JULY 26TH
|
|
|
|
10:30
a.m.–12:30 p.m.
|
Chaotic
dorm move-in and check-in
|
Graham
Hall Area
|
|
4:45
– 6:15 p.m.
|
Barbecue
|
Ben
Hill Griffin Stadium, North End Zone
|
|
|
Opening
Assembly. Spirit Rally, ROTC Color Guard, Keynote Address
by Kevin Wanzer.
|
Reitz
Auditorium
|
|
TUESDAY,
JULY 27TH
|
|
|
|
8:15
– 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
|
State
4-H Fashion Revue contestants learn modeling and compete
in skill-a-thons.
|
Rion
Ballroom
|
|
8:30
– 11:30 a.m.
|
Teamwork
& Self-motivation Workshops
|
Reitz
Auditorium
|
|
9:00
a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
|
State
Competitive Events (Not all events are listed.)
Animal
Science, Aquatic/Marine Environment, Career Exploration,
Consumer Education, Food Safety, Media Arts, Plant
Connections, Public Speaking, Veterinary Science.
*Note About
Competitive Events: To ensure an equal playing field
for all youth competitors, doors remain closed once
demonstrations begin.
|
Reitz
Union
|
|
1:30
p.m.
|
Horticulture
Judging
|
Environmental
Horticulture Green House behind UF Fifield Hall
|
|
3:30
– 5:30 p.m.
|
4-H-A-Thon.
Walking, dribbling, free-throwing, jump-roping, hackey-sacking,
or hula-hooping to raise money for the
Children’s Miracle Network, Ronald McDonald House and
the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
|
Stephen
C. O’Connell Center
|
|
7:30
p.m.
|
Pirates
of the Caribbean Fashion Revue hits runways.
|
Reitz
Ballroom
|
|
WEDNESDAY,
JULY 28TH
|
|
|
|
8:30
– 9:30 a.m.
|
Character
Education Workshops.
|
Rion
Ballroom
|
|
10:45
a.m.–12:15 p.m.
|
Community
Pride Luncheon for Service Recognition.
|
Arredondo
Room - Reitz Union
|
|
12:30
– 3:45 p.m.
|
Health
Rotations:
Health
Fair
Extreme Kids Physical Fitness
Health Rocks!
|
Rion
Ballroom
Reitz
Lawn
Locations
TBD
|
|
7:00
p.m.
|
“Share-the-Fun”
Talent Show – 13 vocal, dance, instrumental acts,
followed by competitive events awards.
|
University
Memorial Auditorium
|
|
THURSDAY,
JULY 29TH
|
|
|
|
8:30
–12:00 p.m.
&
1:00–3:30 p.m.
|
Interactive
Workshops, (Not
all workshops are listed, workshop descriptions
available.) What’s
“Bugging” Your Horse?;
Music Mania; The Good, The Bad, & the
BUGLY; Marine Researcher or Beachcomber?; Be the “E”
Entrepreneurship; Money, Money, Money.
|
Locations
TBD
|
|
5:00
p.m.
|
Midsummer
Night’s Dream Awards Banquet.
Red
carpet, prom dresses, scholarships and awards
presentations. 4-H-A-Thon
proceeds check presentations.
|
Reitz
Union Grand Ballroom
|
|
FRIDAY,
JULY 30TH
|
|
|
|
8:00
–10:30 a.m.
|
Checkout.
Teary eyed and sleepy-faced departures at the buses.
|
Graham
Hall Area
|
|
The
4-H Youth Development Program is part of the University of
Florida IFAS Extension in Gainesville. Last year 4-H
worked with more than 241,000 youth ages 5-18 in
Florida’s 67 counties and on five Seminole Tribes
reservations in South Florida. For more information visit www.florida4h.org
or contact your county extension office
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