4H members strut their stuff
By Travis Moshier Endeavor News

Potter County's 4H program was in the spotlight Monday night at the Coudersport Firehall, as members of the Showstoppers Club demonstrated their public speaking skills.

It was a reminder of the many ways the 4H program has, for many decades, prepared young people for adulthood, exposed them to career options, and provided them with opportunities for healthy and fulfilling social interaction.

Topics at Monday's event ranged from the anatomy of a horse to shooting, and displays included live chickens and rabbits, air rifles and even a wooden horse leg. The event drew a full house.

Cassie Benson, Heather Supplee and Rachel Eller presented horse anatomy and skeletal structure accompanied by the tune, "Dem Bones."

Allyson Elliot gave a presentation on imprint training with video of her demonstrating the techniques on her own foal.

Twin sisters Allison and Emily Giannotti talked about how to determine the correct feed for the horse.

Amanda Hershey presented her horse cloverbud project book, which is currently being used in Potter County to educate the junior 4-Hers ("cloverbuds") on basic horse knowledge.

Faith and Hope Martin performed a skit on raising chickens. Gage Martin spoke about shooting safety and the competitions available to air rifle shooters.

Amber Silsby explained how rabbits are judged, using two of her own as examples. Katelyn and Megan Siska discussed horse teeth and how they develop and change as the horse ages. Eliza Burdick- Risser talked about the process involved with showing cows.

Alison Wright gave an "infomercial" on her own cat care kit and its uses. Sarah Wright acted out a skit in which she identified, treated and bandaged a wound on her horse's leg.

Absent from the program were Showstoppers members Jenna Gabreski, Natalie Giannotti and Bryan Supplee, all of whom were on the sixth grade field trip to Washington, D.C.