The 2012 Texas 4-H Congress will be held in Austin July 15-18 at the Sheraton Hotel at 707 East 11th Street. Congress is a four day mock legislative experience for 4-H members ages 15 (at the time of the event) to 18. During this time, 4-H members assume the roles of senators, representatives, lobbyists, press corp and special interest groups to gain a first hand understanding of how the legislative process works. Bills that are written and sponsored by 4-H members focus on issues concerning Texas and Texas youth. These bills are assigned to the appropriate committee and then debated in committee meetings and then on the floor of the House or Senate. If a bill is successful in negotiation and the legislative debate in all three stages, it is delivered to the Governor of Congress for their signature or veto.
Congress is a premiere leadership program that is co-planned and implemented by the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Office and the Texas 4-H Council. If you would like to participate as a House or Senate member, Lobbyist or Press Corp, contact the County Extension Office for more information on their responsibilities. Cost is $340, which includes hotel, meals, snacks and registration fee. Contact the Extension Office by March 15 if you are interested in participating in Texas 4-H Congress.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Texas 4-H Families Asked to Support "Deep in the Heart"
COLLEGE STATION – 4-H families are encouraged to support Deep in the Heart – a full-length feature film about the remarkable life of Richard “Dick” Wallrath, the top individual financial contributor to Texas 4-H and Texas FFA scholarship programs, said a Texas 4-H administrator. Wallrath’s overall contributions to 4-H and FFA, including scholarship contributions through his educational foundation, currently exceed $16 million.
“We sincerely request that 4-H families see this film about Dick Wallrath’s life for two reasons,” said Dr. Chris Boleman, director of the 4-H and youth development program of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. “First, we feel this story of overcoming personal challenges, discovering what’s truly important in life and second chances will resonate with many families. Second, because of Mr. Wallrath’s continued generosity, a portion of all ticket sales will go to both Texas 4-H and Texas FFA.” The money donated from ticket sales will go to further strengthen much-needed scholarship programs, Boleman said.
“Mr. Wallrath also has provided tremendous financial assistance to 4-H and FFA members through his participation in livestock show premium auctions, including buying show steers at junior auctions in major shows throughout Texas,” he said. “In addition, he established the Richard Wallrath Educational Foundation, which to date has funded almost $8 million in scholarships to high school students who’ve enrolled in Texas universities.”
According to documentation, during Wallrath’s 13-year involvement with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, he has purchased 130 steers, including three reserve champion and three grand champions, one of which he bought for $601,000 – a world record. He also has purchased six grand champions at the Star of Texas show in Austin, and two grand champions, one reserve champion and 82 breed champions at the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. Wallrath’s combined purchases at these shows totals more than $5 million. In addition, he recently bought the grand champion steer at the 2012 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo for $230,000, which was the most ever paid for a champion steer in the history of that event.
From 2006 to the present, the Richard Wallrath Educational Foundation has awarded a total of 780 $10,000 scholarships to 4-H and FFA members, with more than 500 students who have received these scholarships currently attending Texas universities.
Deep in the Heart opens Feb. 17 at theaters throughout Texas. The 113-minute film stars Jon Gries (Napoleon Dynamite; Real Genius), Elaine Hendrix (The Parent Trap), DB Sweeney (Eight Men Out; Memphis Belle; Fire In The Sky) and Val Kilmer (Top Gun; Tombstone; Batman Forever) and was directed by Christopher Cain, who directed Young Guns, Pure Country and Pure Country 2.
“This film tracks Mr. Wallrath’s life story from losing everything to rediscovering his faith and finding redemption with the support of his family,” said Jim Reeves, executive director of the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation. “After struggling with alcoholism and the loss of a child, Wallrath once again found his faith and was given a second chance, which he made the most of by building a successful business with his sons. He has generously shared the financial fruits of that business with 4-H and FFA members, who he calls the ‘future leaders’ of our country.”
Reeves said the success of the film’s opening weekend will have a significant impact on plans for its nationwide release. More information on Deep in the Heart can be found at: http://texas4hfoundation.org/deepintheheart. For information on theater locations throughout Texas showing this film, go to http://texas4hfoundation.org/deepintheheart/locations/.
“While Dick Wallrath’s story is a Texas and an American success story, it is also a human success story that speaks to the four H’s of our program – heart, head, hands and health – as well as to the importance of treating others with fairness and respect,” Boleman said. “4-H families and others will be inspired by this movie and by the man who has lived by the concept that we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Bus Trip to View Deep in the Heart Movie
We received this message from Amanda Brantley, Cedar Creek Ag. Science Teacher, who is extending an invitation to 4-H members to attend a special showing of Deep in the Heart. Cinemark Stone Hill Theatre in Pflugerville will be doing a special showing of Deep in the Heart (Richard Walrath's story) on Friday, February 17. Amanda has set this up for Cedar Creek FFA at 5:30 pm, but she wanted to extend the offer to other Bastrop County 4-H and FFA members as well. It is a matinee showing, so tickets are $7.25 each. We will be taking a bus to the movie, and it will leave CCHS at 4 pm. If a student is enrolled in BISD, Amanda believes that they are eligible to ride the bus as well. If you are interested in the bus option, give Amanda a call and she will confirm that with BISD administration. Amanda will keep 35 seats for FFA students, but the others can be used by BISD students on a first come, first served basis. The cost for both bus and movie ticket is $12, and she needs that by February 14 if a student is interested in riding the bus. She also asks that students attending this wear an FFA or 4-H shirt. Call Amanda to RSVP at 512-772-7300 school or 254-205-7440 cell.
4-Her's Invited to Deep in the Heart Movie Premiere at Paramount Theatre
As most of you know, Deep in the Heart will be premiering next week across the state. A red carpet premiere will be on Wednesday night, February 15th in Austin. Location information is below.
The folks associated with the movie contacted us today to see if we would have any 4-Hers, their friends or families who would be interested in attending. Please let the Extension office know by Monday, February 13, at Noon if you have some interested or if you would like to attend, so we may notify the movie producers. It would be great if you could wear something green or something with a clover on it. Movie producers are asking that no shorts be worn (so, we are thinking it is semi-casual).
The marketing folks suggest that our 4-Hers arrive at the Paramount Theater (713 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 phone 512-472-5470) between 6 and 6:30 pm to get their armbands (there will be check-in tables). They will then be asked to line the ropes of the red carpet and wait for the cast, crew and Celebrity/VIPs to arrive. Once the celebrities walk the carpet, the doors will open and everyone will be seated for the 7:30 start. The movie run-time is 110 minutes and we'll have some sort of entertainment proceeding so we suspect the entire program will last around 2 hours and 10 minutes, give or take a few (those details are still in development.)
Parking is available at the One American Center located on 7th Street between Colorado and Congress for $6/car. Here's the comprehensive directions and parking information from the Paramount Theatre:
Monday, February 6, 2012
Bastrop Show Clipday
If you need assistance with clipping your animal project before the Bastrop Show, a clipday has been set up on February 26 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Bastrop Show Barn. (Note the date & time has changed!) We will assist 4-H members with clipping their animals before the show. Bring your animals dry and clean, and come prepared to work- we are not going to do it all for you!
County 4-H Horse Show
The County 4-H Horse Show will be held at the Lost Pines Arena in Elgin April 14. Rain date is April 28. Call Dot Files, Brush Poppers 4-H Club Manager for more information at (512) 303-6417.
Sign up for 4-H Camp Extended
Due to low response, the sign up deadline for County 4-H Camp in Brownwood has been extended to February 17 by 4:30 p.m. If you want to attend 4-H Camp July 11-14, 2012, call the office to sign up ASAP!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)