From: Jesse Breaux

Date: Tue, Sep 26, 2017 at 12:01 PM

Subject: Teche Life or Something Else

To: news@daily-iberian.com

Good Afternoon, 

Hello, my name is Jesse Breaux. I am a sophomore at New Iberia Senior High and member of the Iberia 4-H club. There are many different levels of 4-H. As you know there are the school clubs, then smaller clubs like cooking, set and junior leader group.

I serve as the community services chair for the Iberia Parish Junior Leader Club for 2017-2018. You are probably saying, “Why is this child telling us this?” 4-H is an amazing club that will celebrate 4-H week from October 1st through 7th, 2017. I think that 4-H would make a great feature in your Teche Life as I read the weekly articles from my grandfather’s newspaper.

The reason I think we should be featured is many people in the community, especially students, do not realize what our club does. We are more than animal (focused), homemaking and consumer science. We volunteer in the community at nursing home BINGO, and we collect non-perishables to make backpack lunches for children that are in need. We collect headphones, blankets and chargers to make sibling packets for siblings of cancer or terminally ill patients.

This is just a (partial) list of our volunteer services, there are more. The main thing that excites me as junior leader member, we are role models to younger students. We can help and assist them with learning about 4-H by participating in being a helper at cooking demonstrations or sewing walker bags with them.

4-H changed my life. As an elementary student, I was always the child that never fit in with the others and my mom, an alumni of 4-H, told me to go to a club meeting. Once I joined, it opened the door to meeting friends not only in my school but also with others in school (around the) state, parish events and 4-H camp.

Say they have a 4-H camp, oh yes do, and you get to learn hunter safety, wetlands and so much more. When you are older you get to go to LSU and compete at 4-H U in a number of events plus learn things about the school. As an organization, we do not treat any child any differently than others. There are students in 4-H that have chronic illness, autism, etc., but we are all equal 4-H members. You would never know that anyone was different.

Bullying is the number one issue that many students face, 4-H helps us combat bullying. Wait, what you say, yep, that is right, we talk about it and we show everyone different but they are still awesome. That is why everyone, all our events, are scored by number and ribbons are handed out based on that number.

From being a shy child, to a child that can write this letter, speak in front of a group and so much more, I hope you take the time whether it is in Teche Life or a little small article to feature 4-H during 4-H week of October 1st through 7th.

You may contact Christy Oliver or Maddoux Miller at 337-369-4440 and tell them Jesse (Yeah, they know me by name) sent you.

Thanks,

Jesse Breaux, Sophomore

New Iberia Senior High School

Students in 4-H build character into their futures

Jesse Breaux’s letter inspired not only the story for today’s Teche Life — it is the story. His information was heartfelt, informative and fully what the adults said when asked to give the background for writing about what the 4-H Week is all about. So why not feature it in the newspaper, with a little editorial assistance.

His younger sister, Maria Parrie, and his mother Dianna Parrie, were in attendance at the 4-H leadership meeting last week when pictures were taken and while gathering information for a fuller understanding of 4-H from someone who did not experience it as a youth.

As he said in the letter requesting today’s story, his mother was involved in 4-H and knew the value of the program in her own life. Now all three are actively engaged in bettering their communities and lives through 4-H.

A Simple Coincidence

An interview last week on a totally different subject brought an unsolicited early comment from a 4-H-lifer without any knowledge of a scheduled interview with students in 4-H Leadership training immediately following her interview. She has her own stories to tell about the benefits of 4-H.

“My husband I met through 4-H,” said Catherine Segura. “We both had animals for the sugar cane festival, we both had swine. And I think it’s so wonderful because all of our children went 4-H. They worked so hard and learned so many skills, responsibility. Everyday they had to be there with those animals, walking them, cleaning and feeding them. I think 4-H is one of the best programs that they have. To get students and kids involved and care for an animal — it takes a personal interest. That’s a lot of responsibility.”

Segura said no matter what the child’s interest, there is something for them in 4-H club.

“They do photography, gardening, enter the barbecue contest. Each school is encouraged to keep a scrapbook, the children learn all types of skills. For example, the older kids do research, writing papers, put projects on boards and present (a topic) to the younger children.”

Segura’s grandson was interested in sports and 4-H has sports broadcasting. His participation helped set a lifetime goal in higher education.

“4-H has such a learning experience. In the summer time they have the opportunity to go to LSU and participate in 4-H U,” Segura said. “For one week each student has an area of expertise and competes. Depending on how well they do, they can win trips to go all over the United States. My grandson won a trip to Orlando and they televised him as he was broadcasting a sports event. Then he thought he’d go into mass communications, but now he’s going into sports administration.”

Programs at the different schools and home school clubs can vary with specific interests.

“They have talent shows, leadership programs, technology, cooking, so many avenues,” Segura said. “It starts in 4th grade and the great thing is kids in 4th grade can be officers. It teaches them public speaking, how to conduct a meeting, it’s wonderful.”

Beyond the School Years

Segura said she has been blessed to stay involved with 4-H. She served on the Louisiana state 4-H advisory board and her husband, Donald, is on the local board. She began 4-H as a child, grew up and continued, met her husband in 4-H, all of their children and now grandchildren have all been involved. With three great-grandchildren, she’s sure they’ll be in 4-H, too.

“The important thing for my boys is that each year it also taught them about economics. They each had their little bankbook. When they would get their check in (from the Sugar Cane Festival livestock sale) I’d take them to the bank and they each had their little check to deposit,” Segura said. “We did that as parents. When they got in high school, for two (the savings) helped them go into college, but one really wanted a car. 4-H is such a wonderful teaching program for these kids.”

Segura’s youngest granddaughter, Mary-Catherine Segura, 16, came out first in her class this year and 7th overall. During the livestock sale they actually auction off the animals and the student gets the prize money. Prices vary on the stock. Young Segura received $10 per pound for a 224-pound swine. A trip to the bank must have followed.

Teaching swine is a big responsibility, grandmother Segura said. “To be prepared for showmanship, it’s not that easy to train a pig to go where you want it to go and do what you want it to do. You have to practice with them. It’s time and energy. I’m so proud of my grandchildren.”

As Breaux mentioned in his letter, today begins 4-H Week ending next Sunday. Don’t be surprised when you see youngsters throughout the community doing volunteer work or showing off their skills. And it doesn’t stop after that. A full calendar of events are already slated and ready for those registered and others can still get involved. The school year has just begun and so have the benefits to students, families and the community where 4-H thrives.