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| Sen. Voinovich recalls favorite part of the State Fair |
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| For me and thousands of Ohioans, August means just one thing: the Ohio State Fair. Beyond the concourse of food and games and fair rides there lies a heritage that runs deep with a broad tradition celebrating all things good in Ohio.
In addition to meeting with Ohio’s agricultural leaders, I spent two days at the fair this year with my wife, Janet, and our children and grandchildren. While we were enjoying the endless amounts of pork sandwiches and fried Oreos, someone asked me what my favorite thing was to do at the fair. I told him I had two favorite things: conducting the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir and the All-Ohio State Fair Youth Band.
I love conducting the choir and band because these organizations represent the heart of the fair – the dedicated efforts of the hundreds of youth participants. When it comes down to it, the reason I love the fair is because of the principles it instills in the kids that make up many of the fair’s finest
events and attractions.
And while I love conducting the band and choir, I realized that, really, my favorite part of the fair was spending time with young people in general. The kids of today who will be the leaders of tomorrow.
A cornerstone of the Ohio State Fair and Ohio agriculture itself is the 4-H Youth Development program. I truly believe that the 4-H program is developing the leaders that will take Ohio agriculture into the future. And the 4-H extends its reach well beyond agriculture and livestock projects – 4-H is in every county in Ohio working with urban, suburban and rural young people on everything from communications, food and nutrition and fitness, to dog training, crop and vegetable production and livestock production.
Every year, more than 300,000 children and teens participate in Ohio 4-H, which is part of a community of young people across America who are learning the values of leadership and citizenship as well as life skills. Participants are involved in hands-on educational activities on more than 200 topics through 4-H clubs, camps and school-enrichment programs.
In August, these kids come to the Ohio State Fair after having earned various awards locally, giving them the chance to compete in statewide competitions and showcase the fruits of their year-long efforts. Some of the most well-known competitions culminate in the annual Sale of Champions, where winning livestock are shown and auctioned. When I served as governor, I always slept in the barns among the exhibitors and helped spur bidders on during the sale.
Keeping with my annual tradition of spending a night in the barn, my granddaughters and I spent the night in the sheep barn this year with Roger High, his wife, Holly, and their son, Adam. We especially enjoyed waking up early to help wash and trim the sheep for show that morning.
Every year I make a special trip to Columbus for the fair – and every year I walk away with a renewed sense of appreciation for programs such as Ohio 4-H and the All-State choir and band, as well as all the youth involved.
In a world that continues to be inundated with video games and celebrity gossip, we witness kids who have chosen to excel in hobbies that require a tremendous amount of time, sacrifice and constant attention.
I believe this dedication builds character, molding the youth of this nation into the kind of people we should want leading this country someday.
The talents the kids take away from these activities sets them apart in every aspect of their lives.
Already, so young in age, they are outstanding individuals who offer so much to their communities and our wonderful state.
U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich
(R-Ohio) |
| 9/5/2007 |
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