A victorious year for 4-H in clothing and textile

District 5 4-H Fashion Show: l to r: Claire Shepherd, Jackie Kendall, Tiffani Moore, Katelyn Gensley, and Suzanna Houston, Not pictured: Crystal Lane

Rusk County 4- H'ers were victorious in this year's clothing and textile projects by placing in the top five places at the District V 4-H Fashion Show and the East Texas State Fair Academic Rodeo Youth Fashion Show.

First, the East Texas State Fair Academic Rodeo Awards ceremony was held Saturday, April 5th, in the Mayfair Building on the fairgrounds in Tyler. The awards ceremony kickoff began with a hot dog lunch enjoyed by the youth winners and their families. Representing the Rusk County 4-H program was Miss Claire Shepherd who placed 1st with her Intermediate Construction Dressy entry, and she placed 1st in the entire Intermediate Division. Claire's win also made her eligible to apply for a $500 scholarship. The scholarship option required her to write and submit an essay. Claire, a 6th grade student at Henderson Middle School brought her project full circle by submitting an essay and winning the $500 scholarship from the East Texas State Fair. Secondly, the East District V 4-H Fashion Show was held Saturday, April 12th, at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Presenting Rusk County 4-H were the following contestants, placing, division, and category: Miss Suzanna Houston placed 2nd in the Intermediate Division Construction Casual Category, Miss Claire Shepherd placed 2nd in the Intermediate Division Construction Dressy Category, Miss Tiffani Moore placed 4th in the Intermediate Division Buying Dressy Category, Miss Katelyn Gensley placed 1st in the Junior Division Buying Speciality Category, and Miss Jackie Kendall placed 3rd in the Junior Division Buying Dressy Category. Rusk County 4-H had one entry in the Apparel Design Competition which was submitted by Miss Crystal Lane. Crystal, a senior 4-H-er, placed 1st with her design and advances to the State 4-H Apparel Design Competition at Texas 4-H Roundup held at College Station in June.

And finally, special thanks to Mrs. Patti Williams and Mrs. Kathy Shepherd for representing the Rusk County 4-H Adult Leader's Association by serving as District V 4- H Fashion Show Judges.

For more information about the Rusk County 4-H program, please contact the Rusk County Extension Office at 903-657- 0376.

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.