"4-H Goes Hollywood: Be Your Own Star" was the theme of the 98th Annual 4-H University held on the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge June 19-22, 2012. Thirty-five 4-H'ers from Evangeline Parish participated this year. 4-H University is a state-wide competition for 4-H'ers from throughout the state. These 4-H'ers competed in many different categories or participated in Clover College.

This year's 4-H University participants did a terrific job representing Evangeline Parish. Louisiana 4-H is an educational program of the LSU AgCenter.

Placing in contests were:

Jacques Fontenot and Ellis LaHaye, Sacred Heart Elementary School, entomology demonstration - first place, state winner.

Benjamin Bertrand and Jacob Klumpp, Basile High School, sports broadcasting - first place, state winner.

Caleb Duplechin, Basile High School, automotive, individual - blue ribbon.

Greg Miller, Basile High School, automotive, individual - blue ribbon.

Caleb Duplechin and Greg Miller, Basile High School, automotive, team - blue ribbon.

Darren Fontenot, Basile High School, diesel operations - second place.

Elizabeth Ortego, Basile High School, fashion review, casual - first alternate.

Ardhyn Parks, Sacred Heart High School, fashion review, ready to wear - third place.

Sean Fontenot , Sacred Heart High School, plant science, individual - blue ribbon.

Kaleb Deshotels, Mamou High School; Sean Fontenot, Sacred Heart High School; and Brandon Soileau, Sacred Heart High School, plant science team - fifth place.

Robert Fusilier, Sacred Heart High School, public speaking, any other subject - fourth place.

Bryson Belaire, Basile High School, public speaking coop - blue ribbon.

Also participating were: Tre' Fontenot, Sacred Heart Elementary School, and Jordan Vidrine, Sacred Heart High School - 4-H Has Talent; John Micheal Fontenot, Ville Platte High School and Seth Manuel, Sacred Heart High School - ATV; Brently Bertrand, Basile High School - automotive; Maegan Franques, Bayou Chicot Elementary School, and Olivia Johnson, Pine Prairie High School - child development; R.J. Bellon, Chesley Hebert and Lauren Veillon, Basile High School - fishing sports; Heather Odom, Pine Prairie High School - insect identification; Kellie Barnes, Mamou High School, and Elliott Mire, Sacred Heart High School - meat identification; Jacob Aguillard, Austin Fontenot and Averey Hollier, Sacred Heart High School - plant science; Ryan Eastin and Emily Vidrine, Sacred Heart High School - sports broadcasting; and Lane Bertrand and Jacob Fruge', Basile High School - wildlife habitat judging.

Participating in Clover College were Makayla Hebert, Pine Prairie High School, Journey of Self Discovery; and Savanna Watts, Sacred Heart High School, Let's Eat for Health.

In addition to the contests and educational sessions, two parish 4-H'ers were selected to serve on the 2012-13 State Fashion Board, Ardhyn Parks and Savannah Watts, both of Sacred Heart High School.

Accompanying these 4-H'ers were adult volunteer leaders Angie Fusilier and James Barnes, along with 4-H agents Tina Guillory and Todd Fontenot.

We would like to congratulate these 4-H members for their hard work, effort and dedication to preparation for their contests. A thank you goes to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, friends and the community for encouraging and supporting these 4-H'ers in their quest during state competition. Also, a sincere "Thanks" to the people in our community, and to the staff of the Evangeline Parish Cooperative Extension Service for helping train these young people and for the cooperation and support that was given.