Youth Development

Wellness Warriors-Teen Lifestyle Change Program
According to the McKinley County YRRS Survey 32.4 of McKinley’s teens are considered overweight or obese. Obese kids are at higher risk for asthma, hypertension, orthopedic problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes than other adolescents. Teens who engage in regular physical activity and healthy eating practices decrease their risk of chronic diseases live healthier and longer lives. Experts indicated that one in seven cases of diabetes can be prevented through exercise and diet. This year the “Wellness Warriors” teens and their parents attended the four sessions of “Kitchen Creations”. Our goal was to provide teens and parents with tips on how to manage their weight, choose healthy foods, and help them to learn to take care of themselves emotionally as well as physically, so that they can reach their maximum potential. Teaching teens to eat healthy foods and include exercise daily will help decrease the risk for diabetes. 17 participants completed the four sessions (4 of the participants were recently diagnosed with diabetes) on March 18, 2010 and found the activities to be helpful in decreasing the amount of high-carb and junk foods consumed on a daily basis. Evaluation was gathered at each session and compiled for reporting purposes and serve for future planning of programs. Several teens indicated that if more parents allowed their children to be involved in the preparation of meals children would be less likely to dislike foods that they have never tasted. One participant said that their family now sets aside 3 days for family food prep and dinning.

The agent dedicated time to maintaining and supporting 4-H club leaders and members. 4-H members and leaders had an opportunity to participate in a variety of county-wide 4-H activities during the year. Advertisement for activities was done via e-mail reminders to leaders. These activities included:

Objective # 1 – Camps, Workshops, Clinics & Trainings:
• Eleven members attended two workshops on trees in fulfillment of their forestry project requirements. At the first workshop participants learned to identify the trees used in the timber industry in northern New Mexico. Participants learned a number of marketable skills as well as increasing their communication, cooperation and social skills by breaking into groups to search out and identify trees in the area. Members also had the opportunity to develop empathy by interacting with two captive timber wolves. At the second workshop, members learned sharing, planning and organizing skills as well as self responsibility by collecting, preserving and organizing a collection of trees and shrubs in Los Alamos County. Several of the collections were displayed in competition at the county and state fairs.

•Twelve new members joined the new 4-H Technology Club organized to reach novice members in the areas of science and technology. The first project uses Lego Mindstorm Robotics kits to get a head start on building and programming simple robotics. Members meet weekly to build models, attach sensors and motors that are plugged into a computer, and configure behaviors using a simple programming tool. Members are learning a number of skills in the project including teamwork, self-esteem, conflict resolution and critical thinking.

•Twenty three youth participated in “Water Camp” in collaboration with the Mesa Public Library over a six week period. Participants were engaged in a number of hands-on activities related to conserving water. Topics included New Mexico’s water resources, water shed management and water conservation at home. Participants learned a number of life skills including teamwork, concern for others, wise use of resources and critical thinking.

Objective # 2 – Competitive Events
• Six 4-H members [4(W) 2(A); 4(M) 2(F)] submitted end of year record books. Record books provide 4-H members with an avenue to report on the life skills they have mastered as well as demonstrate their level of belonging, generosity and independence throughout the 4-H program year.

• Los Alamos County 4-H program hosted the 2010 Northeast District 4-H Horse Show on June 12, 2010. Nine 4-H members [5(W) 4(H); 9(M)] from four counties participated in eight classes. All contestants are eligible to participate in the State 4-H Horse Show. 4-H Agents secured the location, a judge and purchased ribbons and high point awards. Staff from the Los Alamos County Recreation Department assisted with the event by preparing the arena, providing show equipment, setting up classes and assisting with clean-up. Cost of conducting the show deducting participant entry fees was 1,672.44. Two [1(W) 1(H); 2(F)] Los Alamos County 4-H’ers assisted with the presentation of ribbons and awards.
• Two 4-H members [2(H); 1(M) 1(F)] participated in the Northern District 4-H Contests held June 29-30 in Albuquerque. 4-H’ers participated in the Favorite Food Show and the Home Economics Skill-a-thon contests. The 4-H home economist served as superintendent of the Public Speaking Contest and the 4-H Agent was superintendent of the Entomology Contest.

• State 4-H Conference and Contests – Three 4-H members and one 4-H leader [4(W); 2(M) 2(F)] attended and participated in the week long program July 12-16 on campus at New Mexico State University. Two members [2(W); 1(M) 1(F)] served in the role of voting delegates.

• Los Alamos County Fair. Nine [7(W) 2(H); 4(M) 5(F)] 4-H members exhibited 35 indoor exhibits. 75% of County 4-H youth showed an increase in knowledge and skills related to home economics, creative arts, livestock and personal development as evidenced by quality baking products, garments made, products exhibited, and ribbons awarded.

• New Mexico State Fair -- Seven 4-H members [5(W) 2(H); 4(M) 3(F)] exhibited 25 exhibits. Seventeen or 68% of the twenty five exhibits received first, second or third place awards.

Objective # 3 -- Awards & Recognition
• An Annual 4-H Awards Program was held November 7, 2009 at the Los Alamos Community Building. The purpose of the program was to recognize 4-H members who completed 4-H record books, and to recognize 4-H members and leaders for the number of years they’ve been involved in the program. Outstanding 4-H youth and volunteers were also recognized. Twelve (12) 4-H’ers [10(W) 2(A); 5(M) 7(F)] and four 4-H leaders [4(W); 1(M) 3(F)] received awards. Prior to the presentation of awards, one senior 4-H [1(W), 1 (M)] presented a slide presentation of his 4-H International Exchange Program to Australia. Bruch, provided by the 4-H families in attendance, was a new offering at this Saturday morning program. Eighteen [16(W) 2(H) 2(A); 9(M) 11(F)] members, leaders and parents were in attendance.

Objective # 4 – Community Service
• 100% of local club members participate in service projects at the county level. A County Community Service Projects was the creation of “Hollow Holly” for the Los Alamos Scarecrow contest. The scarecrow contest is sponsored by the Los Alamos Arts Council and is open to any community organization. The Council was awarded the Sleepy Hollow Award consisting of a certificate and cash award. Youth increased knowledge and skills relate to generosity and service learning, contributions to group efforts and responsible citizenship as evidenced by willingness to serve, appreciation of service opportunities and youth assuming leadership roles related to service. Results were reported by club leaders and in member record books.

Other:
•The horticulture agent was host to the 2010 National WHEP Contest in Los Alamos in Late July. One hundred fifty youth and adults [132 (W), 6(H) 12(B); 81(M), 69(F) participated in this five day conference and contest. WHEP is a 4-H and FFA youth natural resource program dedicated to teaching wildlife and fisheries habitat management to junior and senior level (ages 8-19) youth in the United States.

The 4-H agents dedicated time to maintaining and supporting 4-H club leaders and members. 4-H members and leaders had an opportunity to participate in a variety of county-wide 4-H activities during the year. Advertisement for activities was done via e-mail reminders to leaders. These activities included:


Objective # 1 – Camps, Workshops, Clinics & Trainings:
• Two 4-H members [1(W) 1(H); 2(F)] and two 4-H leaders [2(W); 2(F)] participated in Home Economics School. 100% of youth reported an increase in knowledge in sewing and baking skills as well as an improving life skills related to decision making, cooperation, teamwork and wise use of resources.


Objective # 2 – Competitive Events
• Six 4-H members [4(W) 2(A); 4(M) 2(F)] submitted end of year record books. Record books provide 4-H members with an avenue to report on the life skills they have mastered as well as demonstrate their level of belonging, generosity and independence throughout the 4-H program year.

• Los Alamos County 4-H program hosted the 2010 Northeast District 4-H Horse Show on June 12, 2010. Nine 4-H members [5(W) 4(H); 9(M)] from four counties participated in eight classes. All contestants are eligible to participate in the State 4-H Horse Show. 4-H Agents secured the location, a judge and purchased ribbons and high point awards. Staff from the Los Alamos County Recreation Department assisted with the event by preparing the arena, providing show equipment, setting up classes and assisting with clean-up. Cost of conducting the show deducting participant entry fees was 1,672.44. Two [1(W) 1(H); 2(F)] Los Alamos County 4-H’ers assisted with the presentation of ribbons and awards.

• Two 4-H members [2(H); 1(M) 1(F)] participated in the Northern District 4-H Contests held June 29-30 in Albuquerque. 4-H’ers participated in the Favorite Food Show and the Home Economics Skill-a-thon contests. The 4-H home economist served as superintendent of the Public Speaking Contest and the 4-H Agent was superintendent of the Entomology Contest.

• State 4-H Conference and Contests – Three 4-H members and one 4-H leader [4(W); 2(M) 2(F)] attended and participated in the week long program July 12-16 on campus at New Mexico State University. Two members [2(W); 1(M) 1(F)] served in the role of voting delegates.

• Los Alamos County Fair. Nine [7(W) 2(H); 4(M) 5(F)] 4-H members exhibited 35 indoor exhibits. 75% of County 4-H youth showed an increase in knowledge and skills related to home economics, creative arts, livestock and personal development as evidenced by quality baking products, garments made, products exhibited, and ribbons awarded.

• New Mexico State Fair -- Seven 4-H members [5(W) 2(H); 4(M) 3(F)] exhibited 25 exhibits. Seventeen or 68% of the twenty five exhibits received first, second or third place awards.


Objective # 3 -- Awards & Recognition
• An Annual 4-H Awards Program was held November 7, 2009 at the Los Alamos Community Building. The purpose of the program was to recognize 4-H members who completed 4-H record books, and to recognize 4-H members and leaders for the number of years they’ve been involved in the program. Outstanding 4-H youth and volunteers were also recognized. Twelve (12) 4-H’ers [10(W) 2(A); 5(M) 7(F)] and four 4-H leaders [4(W); 1(M) 3(F)] received awards. Prior to the presentation of awards, one senior 4-H [1(W), 1 (M)] presented a slide presentation of his 4-H International Exchange Program to Australia. Bruch, provided by the 4-H families in attendance, was a new offering at this Saturday morning program. Eighteen [16(W) 2(H) 2(A); 9(M) 11(F)] members, leaders and parents were in attendance.


Objective # 4 – Community Service
• 100% of local club members participate in service projects at the county level. A County Community Service Projects was the creation of “Hollow Holly” for the Los Alamos Scarecrow contest. The scarecrow contest is sponsored by the Los Alamos Arts Council and is open to any community organization. The Council was awarded the Sleepy Hollow Award consisting of a certificate and cash award. Youth increased knowledge and skills relate to generosity and service learning, contributions to group efforts and responsible citizenship as evidenced by willingness to serve, appreciation of service opportunities and youth assuming leadership roles related to service. Results were reported by club leaders and in member record books.


The home economist served as judge for the Rio Arriba County 4-H Contests held April 26 in Abiquiu. She judged the Favorite Food Show, Consumer Decision Making Contest and Talent Contests.


A variety of 4-H enrichment expansion efforts occurred during the year. The home economist continues to meet with home economists from Santa Fe and Rio Arriba Counties to plan Just Be It – Healthy and Fit, a regional nutrition related school enrichment program being offered to fifth graders from the three counties. Time was dedicated to the components of the program: nutrition and fitness field trip, in-depth education program and parent education component.

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit Nutrition and Fitness field trip Component –

The short-term objective of knowledge gain for students attending a one-day field trip, held in September 2009, was met. There was a knowledge gain for fifth grade students on nutrition guidelines, making healthy snacks, physical activity, and goal setting as a result of attending workshops at a one-day educational field trip.

In 2009, 269 students from 5 schools in Los Alamos County participated. Pre and post knowledge tests for the day long program were administered and showed a 43% knowledge gain for the students.

Extension Agents from Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe Counties conducted Just Be It! Healthy and Fit nutrition and fitness school enrichment field trip experience offered during September to fifth graders from the three counties. Participation in the full day program involved 532 students [243(W) 236(H) 27(NA) 24(A) 3(B); 253(M) 279(F)] from 24 classrooms from 9 schools.

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit In-depth education program

The medium-term objective (1) for students to increase their nutrition knowledge during the school year was met. There was a statistically significant increase in nutrition knowledge scores for fifth grade students at Barranca, Aspen, Chamisa, and Mountain Elementary schools from September 2009 to May 2010.

Students increased their nutrition knowledge after receiving nutrition classes during the school year. In Los Alamos County, 142 students completed both the pre and post tests on nutrition knowledge. The pretest average score was 9.6 (60%) and the post test average score was 13.7 (86%) showing a 4.1 point (43%) gain. The difference in scores was statistically significant (p=.0001).

In addition, pre and post tests were administered to a second classroom at Aspen Elementary. This class did not receive in-class lessons and served as a control group to test the efficacy of the in-class instruction. While the control classroom’s scores (63%) were similar to the classroom which received in-class lessons (treatment) at the pretest (59%), post test scores were statistically different. The control group’s post test score was 72% showing a 15% gain and the treatment classroom’s post test score was 88%, showing a 50% knowledge gain. These differences were statistically different.

The medium term objective (2) for students to increase their fruit and vegetable intake was not met. In Los Alamos County, 139 students completed pre and post surveys on the intake of fruits and vegetables. The pre-survey average score for fruits was 2.66 and the post test average score was 2.64. The difference in scores was not statistically significant. The pre-survey average score for eating vegetables was 2.4 and the post test average score was 2.22. The difference in scores was not statistically significant based on a paired t-test.

The medium term objective (3) for students to increase their amount of physical exercise was not met. In Los Alamos County, 139 students completed pre and post surveys on physical activity. The pre-survey average score was 3.46 and the post test average score was 3.39. The difference in scores was not statistically significant.

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit Parent Component

The medium term objective (4) for parents to increase their nutrition knowledge was met. In Los Alamos County, 45 parents returned the evaluation and showed an increase in knowledge after receiving newsletters at home. The pretest score average was 78% and the post test score average was 92%. There was an 18% knowledge gain for parents. The return rate for newsletter evaluations was 32% (n=142).

Almost everyone wrote comments about what they liked best about the in-school program, such as “It was very good they told us how many vegetables to eat.” “Teaching them early how important it is to make the right choices about foods.” “Guest speakers, healthy tips, to have more physical exercise.” “How to read labels on food containers and how to live a balanced life as he grows up.” “How the classes are spaced throughout the year.”

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit Expansion Efforts

The long term objective of expanding the program to other New Mexico counties showed progress. The Just Be It! Healthy and Fit curriculum is in the final stages of being produced and disseminated to counties. It is expected that county agents will offer the program in their county and show positive results for youth. Presentations on the JBI curriculum will be made at the national conferences, NEAFCS and NAE4-HA, in September and October 2010.

Additional Home Economics Related Enrichment Efforts include:
• Los Alamos Middle School Lunch Hour Fun Fair – students visually learned how much sugar is found in a variety of beverages. “To Drink or Not Drink” consisted of four learning stations – healthy drink station, juice station, serving size station and beverage session. Using sugar and measuring spoon, students could calculate and actually measure out the amount of sugar in their favorite beverage. Approximately 125 students [85(W) 30(H) 10(A); 70(M) 55(F)] participated. Students were alarmed when they discovered 28 teaspoons of sugar are in their favorite 32-ounce soda!

• Family Festival – Blast-Off My Pyramid Trail Mix – Five 4-H youth and six adult volunteers [10(W) 1(A); 3(M) 8(F)] provided leadership to this annual event geared to families. One hundred twelve (112) youngsters [74(W) 3(B) 12(H) 2(NA) 28(A); 47 (M) 65(F)] participated in the “Blast-Off MyPyramid Trail Mix” activity. Children learned about MyPyramid by making a trail mix from foods of each of the five food groups. The activity was coordinated by the home economist.

Valencia County is within the top ten fastest growing counties in New Mexico. With this growth often come risk factors within the lives of youth, as they are exposed to greater frequency in violence, crime, poverty, gangs, drugs and other negative risk factors. Youth development programs are in great need and high demand. The youth development programming efforts of the Valencia County Home Economist strive to meet the needs of youth that are critical to survival and healthy development including a sense of safety, belonging, membership, self-worth, independence, positive relations and competence. All youth programming efforts provided are focused on helping youth to become productive and responsible adults.


4-H BAKING WORKSHOPS
Nine baking workshops were held for 4-H youth in Valencia County. A total of 31 youth attended the workshops. Sixty-five percent attended more than one of the workshops offered. Three older 4-H participants gained leadership skills by being teamed up with younger 4-H members to work on their baking projects. Two adult volunteers (one club leader and one EANM member) assisted with three of the workshops provided. Each workshop provided participants with an opportunity to make one batch of cookies, brownies, muffins and/or biscuits using the recipes in the baking project and a batch of the same using a non-4-H recipe. Youth gained skills in recipe reading, measuring, following directions, teamwork, communication, organization, food safety and understanding the purpose of each ingredient in a recipe. Participants also practiced and gained an understanding of how the quality of a baked item is judged.

One of the older 4-H participants wrote in her 4-H Record Book, “Laura (our HE agent) called me and asked if I would help with a 4-H baking class she work working on. Of course, I was excited to. When I got there, Laura started tossing around this teddy bear covered in flour. The flour was “germs” so we looked at ourselves with a black light to see how many germs we had on our hands then washed them and washed again. It was surprising how many “germs” we still had on our hands! At the next workshop a few weeks later, we made muffins!!! In both workshops I learned new ways to measure and that you have to pay attention to instructions! I also learned that you always need to be sure and wash your hands really well!”

A 9 year old participant wrote in her 4-H Record Book, “I leaned (learned) not to pute (put) egg shells and yucky stuff in my food. For the EXPO I made chocolate chip cookies and muffins. My muffins placed 2nd!”

CONSUMER DECISION MAKING WORKSHOPS
Three Consumer Decision Making workshops were held for youth preparing for County Contest. Five 4-H youth participated in the workshops which provided an opportunity to learn how to compare products, prices, features, labels and brands. Additionally, the youth gained skills in justifying and articulating the reasons they would choose one product over another. One parent that attended with her daughter commented, “I never knew there were so many types and purposes of light bulbs. My daughter now knows more than I do about light bulbs and is demanding we change out some of the light bulbs we are currently using in order to save money!”


FASHION REVUE WORKSHOP
Two Fashion Revue workshops were held for 4-H youth. There were a total of 7 participating in these workshops. Participants had an opportunity to practice modeling techniques, discuss their sewing projects and gained knowledge on the clothing guidelines for this contest. One senior 4-H member attended a workshop “by mistake” but decided she wanted to learn how to sew after having participated in the workshop. She, with the assistance of the Home Economist, traveled to the store, selected a pattern, fabric and notions and spent one afternoon sewing the blouse. Although she had never sewn before and had no intention of participating in the Fashion Revue at County Contest, she ended up modeling her new blouse for the judges. This hands on experience provided this youth with an opportunity to learn a new skill, practice consumer decision making as she selected supplies for her project, a feeling of accomplishment and an increase in self-confidence.


YDI AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
The Home Economist had an opportunity to partner with YDI (Youth Development, INC.) in providing ten workshops to 33 at-risk middle school age children participating in an after-school program geared to encouraging youth to stay in school and graduate. Workshop topics included goal-setting, self-awareness, job seeking skills, crafts, nutrition and creative cooking. The interactive workshops provided the youth with opportunity to further develop skills in communication, leadership, responsibility, team-work, money management and budgeting, following directions, listening, cooking, creativity and independence.


HOME EC SCHOOL
Working in coordination with the Torrance County Home Economist, the Valencia County Home Economist assisted in the organization of a service project workshop which involved 46 youth attending Home Ec School held at Valencia High. The service project involved painting and stenciling thirty 8” pots using concepts from the Housing and Interior Design 4-H projects. An organization (the Ronald McDonald House) was selected to be the recipient of the pots, materials were gathered and organized for the youth attending Home Ec School and a presentation on citizenship was developed and presented to the youth. The stenciled pots were then taken back to the Valencia County Extension Office where they were planted with plants provided by the Valencia County Master Gardeners. The potted plants were delivered to the Ronald McDonald House on behalf of 4-H where they were to be given to the families as they completed their stay.


OTHER YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
Ninety-three youth from three different agencies (El Cerro Mission Summer Youth Program, Boys & Girls Ranch, and Hogares) participated in at least one of 15 workshops presented during the summer by the Home Economist. The workshops focused on encouraging youth to learn practical home economic and related concepts through hands-on experiences. Participants had an opportunity to develop life skills through workshop which focused on menu -planning, budgeting, cooking, nutrition, cost-effective crafting, container gardening, teamwork, career exploration and leadership. Comments from participants included:
• “I learned I’m a good cook! I like cooking and may decide to go to culinary
arts school when I’m older”
• “I liked baking and making different kinds of food. I also liked getting to
eat the different foods I made”
• “Everything we made was so easy and turned out so good. I could do this at
home and save my mom a lot of time and money”



VALENCIA COUNTY COMMUNITY EXPO
The Home Economist has worked consistently with the EXPO Board and volunteers this past year in planning and preparing for this 4-H sanctioned event. The purpose of the EXPO is to provide the youth with a positive environment for showcasing their 4-H projects. The Home Economist volunteered with four concession stands, two fundraisers (pancake breakfast and road side clean up) and assisted in the coordination of the buyer’s lunch all geared to raising money to offset the expenses of a fair. The Home Economist attended monthly board meetings and monthly committee meetings in order to have involvement in the planning of this event for the county’s youth. The Home Economist secured seven volunteer judges (three from EANM, two from the Master Gardener’s Programs and two community members) for the indoor exhibits. In addition, the Home Economist, along with the part-time Home Economist and 4-H Agent, encouraged and motivated youth to enter their home economics related projects in the EXPO. This year there were 314 indoor exhibits as compared to 232 indoor exhibits last year.

The Socorro County Agents were requested to provide a leadership training for 4-H members in Union and Harding Counties. The Agents taught youth about what it means to be a good officer, what their office duties are, and communication, teamwork and decision making skills. Youth participated in a obstacle course in order to reinforce these skills being taught. Youth split up into groups and worked as a team to complete the course. 100% of the youth worked as a team and to make the correct decisions in order to successfully completed the task. Through this training youth learned life skills such as teamwork, decision-making, planning/organizing, goal setting, communication, cooperation and leadership.