Ibert from St. Mary among winners as La. 4-H University returns

BATON ROUGE — For the first time since 2019, nearly 1,000 4-H students, volunteers and agents convened on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge to participate in 4-H University. One St. Mary student was a contest winner.
This event was highlighted by the election of new officers, board members and ambassadors for the 2022-23 school year. 4-H participants also competed in more than 40 contests, five Clover College tracts and six educational sessions. Regional representatives for the 4-H state executive board and national conference delegates also were chosen.
This year’s theme was Strive, and for many, this was an opportunity to win an educational trip, cash prizes or the right to represent Louisiana 4-H in several national competitions.
The annual event was held for the 108th time. For some, it was the first time to experience 4-H University in person. The past two gatherings were held virtually or in a hybrid-virtual model.
“We are really glad to be back on campus,” said Todd Tarifa, LSU AgCenter 4-H department head. “This event was made to be held here, and the 4-H students benefit from the experience of what it’s like to live and learn in a major university setting.”
During the event, students are housed in dormitories, and contests and programs are held in classrooms and facilities across the LSU campus. Many of the participants come from small schools in rural areas, and the event offers them a glimpse of the size and scope of what life may be like if they decide to attend college.
“We have students from all over the state,” Tarifa said. “This week will let every one of them see that this environment can be conducive to learning and competing, which is a major tenet of 4-H. Our students look at this as a challenge, and they are more than willing to take it on.”
Morgan Meaux, from Vermilion Parish, was elected to serve as president, and Zach Cryer, of Bossier Parish, was chosen to be vice president.
Elected as secretary was Joy So, of Winn Parish; hrilina rahks, of Jefferson Parish, was elected historian/reporter; and Ava Richardson, of Caddo Parish, was selected for parliamentarian.
Students also had the opportunity to be selected to five boards, which were citizenship, fashion, food and fitness, shooting sports, and science, technology, engineering and math.
During the week, members also selected representatives to represent Louisiana 4-H at the National 4-H Conference, which is held in November.
Three individuals from each of the five geographical regions of the state were chosen to serve as a liaison between the executive board and the members of each region. These representatives help in the planning and staging of regional and state 4-H events.
Of the many contest winners, Daniel Ibert of St. Mary Parish won the Tiger Tank Entrepreneurship Challenge (Idea).