Essay by Charlotte Manvell
In Honor of National 4-H Week
When I was nine years old, I remember sitting among the
members of my 4-H club as the president discussed various programs, everything
from field trips to educational contests, and little did I know, all of these
opportunities would transform me into an independent and confident 18 year old.
I cannot tell you where I would be without 4-H, it has given me the confidence
to stand in front of carded American Quarter Horse Association judges to give
reasons, buzz in a split second before my opponent to score points at multiple
national level horse bowl contests, as well as stand in front of three judges
at Southern Regional Horse Championships, and give a team presentation that won
first. Through these many levels of competition I have regularly wondered, “Where
I would be without 4-H, would I have the confidence to give a presentation to a
crowded room? Would I have the knowledge to expertly describe a class of horses
I evaluated hours ago?” And repeatedly the answer is no. Without 4-H and horses
I would be unsure of what I wish to pursue as I open this new chapter in my
life, and while I have a passion for many topics like calculus and chemistry,
none of them compare to the passion I have for animals and animal healthcare.
However 4-H has not only helped me determine what I wish to pursue, but has
also equipped me with important skills such as public speaking and being
comfortable working with people of all ages and backgrounds, as well as those
more specific to the veterinary field such as how to handle and care for
animals from birth to old age.
Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to work
at a local veterinarian’s office. While many high schoolers express interest in
veterinary medicine, rarely do they express a love for the messy and sometimes disgusting
side of animal care. From completing over 12 hours worth of equine fecal egg
counts to observing a three hour long tumor removal surgery I have found that
my favorite words are now “Hey Charlotte, wanna see something gross?”. I credit
4-H with teaching me that animal husbandry does not stop at the tasks you enjoy
completing, but is more often filled with those that may be less appetizing,
but are to me more rewarding. Through these experiences of working with
everything from geese to ferrets to miniature donkeys, I have decided to pursue
a career in veterinary medicine where I hope to be able to improve the care of
the animals in my community.
4-H has also helped me connect to mentors within my area of
interest, veterinary parasitology. Through a 4-H equine youth program
associate I was introduced to Dr. Martin Nielsen, an equine parasitologist and
professor at the University of Kentucky who is seeking to develop new
technologies to prevent the spread of parasitic disease within horses while also
educate the general horse owning population on how they can better improve
their parasite control. Through this connection I was given the
opportunity to write a paper based on my own research as well as present that
research at the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists(AAVP) annual
conference. In attending college and veterinary school, I hope to continue
performing research in these fields in order to prevent parasitic disease
within both companion animals and livestock.
Through my years in 4-H I have benefitted from the
dedication of many volunteers, extension agents, parents, and 4-H
club members, I have experienced what a powerful impact these individuals can
have on a young 4-Her’s life and I hope to be able to influence others to not
only pursue horses as a hobby or career, but also give back to their community
through service projects and volunteering. In the past few years, after
becoming a senior in 4-H, I have had the opportunity to give back to 4-H by
volunteering at programs such as the 4-H Horse Camp in Front Royal where junior
4-Hers have the opportunity to receive instruction in horsemanship and riding.
I have also been able to organize programs within my club in order to help
various nonprofits within the community, including collecting food for animal
rescues. The backbone of a successful 4-H club is dedicated volunteers and I
hope that someday I will be able to be an adult volunteer for a 4-H club so
that I can use the knowledge I have gained through higher education and my 4-H
experience so that young individuals can continue to enjoy all that the 4-H
program has to offer.
This past year I have been given the opportunity to
volunteer at various 4-H educational events doing everything from reading horse
bowl questions to taking reasons and these experiences have further cemented my
desire to pursue a more permanent volunteer position within 4-H. I love helping
“to make the best better” by encouraging people to keep going when they stumble
in their reasons, or to buzz in to answer a question in horse bowl. While I may
be away at college for the next few years and unable to be a leader, I know
that my involvement at educational events will still help impact and inspire
other 4-Hers.
