“Try new things even if they seem scary at first!” Leah Call, a 17 year old recent homeschool graduate took this advice and has enjoyed what came from it ever since.
Leah has been a member of the Orange Dairy Club for four years now, but wasn’t always as enthusiastic about it as she is now. She decided to join the club after her younger brother, Levi, found an interest in cows and joined. Initially, she just had to tag along with him at the meetings and join him when he went to the fairs, but after experiencing the club for herself, she fell in love with it. Leah ended up joining 4-H the next year, and has been an extremely active member ever since. She was most recently the Secretary of the club, and has done enough activities to be tapped as a 2020 4-H All Star. Becoming an All Star is one of the greatest achievements of any 4-Her, and takes time, dedication, and lots of commitment to become one.
As Leah looks back on her time within the organization, she remembers all the great times she had with her friends, family, and animals. These include working in the dairy club milkshake shack, showing at local and state fairs, and working the Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat, a conference hosted in Orange for over 80 youth from seven states in 2019! She truly believes that 4-H has helped her get over her fear of public speaking, as there are many instances where members meet new people and participate in activities where it is required to present. She also has grown in leadership skills and knowledge, applying these abilities to her school, extracurriculars, and community.
Outside of 4-H, Leah enjoys figure skating, reading, and volunteering in her local community. Her future plans include attending Piedmont Virginia Community College to achieve her Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree. She has shadowed at Martha Jefferson Hospital to gain experience in the field, and looks forward to the day she will be a sonographer.
“Stick with your 4-H and you’ll do great things,” Leah says. “And try new clubs! I had never been around cows or dairy farms, but I fell in love with the dairy industry all thanks to my little brother loving the Goodwin Dairy cows at the county fair.” Thank you, Leah, for your inspiration and advice. Best of luck to you as you pursue your passion of becoming a sonographer!
