Copyright © 2005 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2005 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Sequoyah High School (SHS) students are learning that a classroom doesn't have to have four walls and a chalkboard. These students are learning about life and accountability by spending time with farm animals. SHS recently added a 4-H program to their list of extra-curricular activities and students have already produced successful show livestock.
Trey Francis, a freshman at Sequoyah High School, prepares his calf for competition in the Cherokee County Livestock Show. 
"You spend more time with that animal than you spend with your family," said Mahala Forrest, SHS 4-H sponsor.
Forrest, a science teacher at SHS, started the school's 4-H program last year. As someone who had competed in livestock shows since the age of nine, she knew the hard work and responsibility that students would have to have to prepare an animal for show.
"You have to feed every morning and spend time after school, working on leading and getting them ready for the ring," Forrest said.
"It's not hard work when you know what to do," said Clayton Ketcher, who sounds more like a scientist specializing in chickens than a high school sophomore. "I've been around them since I was 5 years old and my family has shown (chickens) and won grand champion (awards). They can't be too big or too little, they have to be just right."
Ketcher showed nine chickens in the Muskogee County Livestock Show and 15 in the Cherokee County Livestock Show.
Dion Francis III, or Trey, as he is known to his friends, showed a calf in the Cherokee County livestock show and brought home the top award for the calf who had gained the most weight. His calf gained 360 pounds over the course of three months.
"That showed that he had done a good job and fed it and worked hard on it," said Dion Francis II, Trey's father who is happy to see SHS introduce 4-H. "Land has always been precious to Native Americans and this teaches the kids that they can do things with their land and keep it in the family. I like my kids to be well-rounded and this program exposes them to new possibilities."
The 4-H program offers students more than the opportunity to show livestock. Students can also choose to participate in speech, photography and sewing competitions, just to name a few.
"I learned so many things through 4-H," Mahala said. "I learned responsibility, compassion and how to deal with people. I would like to see more students get involved. It's not just for farm kids. There's really something for everyone."
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
|
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |