To the Editor:
I have been a member of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Explorers 4-H club for over a decade. Through my participation in this after-school club, I have gotten the opportunity to learn many new skills and to participate in activities that I otherwise would not have had an opportunity to do.

Some of those things include working with animals, public speaking, baking and cooking, basket weaving, other crafting projects, and woodworking. In particular, I learned how to work with and show goats. I have also done numerous presentations on varying topics for varied audiences, and have learned to bake and cook new things that I would not have done on my own.

Our club has also gone on many hikes and done community service projects. We made snuffle mats and toys for a pet shelter and visited the shelter to deliver them.

We visited a nursing home for the holidays to sing and play instruments to raise their spirits. We planted, maintained and harvested a garden to benefit those in our community who needed some assistance with obtaining healthy food choices.

During COVID, we learned how to make Christmas ornaments over a Google Meet, which were then collected and delivered to a nursing home to bring them some cheer in a difficult time.

Being a part of the BKW Explorers has benefited me in many ways. I have become fluent in public speaking, which has been beneficial in many aspects of my life, especially now, as I am going through the college selection process.

It has also helped me in interviewing for jobs. It has taught me numerous life skills that allow me to be more independent, and it has taught me the importance of helping others in my community who are less fortunate than me or could use some assistance.

I feel that 4-H is beneficial for BKW schools to continue to offer because it develops friendships outside of the traditional classroom. Our members have opportunities to learn life skills and also have the opportunity to help their community. 

Haley Lacko

BKW junior