Drew County 4-H Members Represent Arkansas at National WHEP Competition
June 28th, 2013 by Drew County Offices
Following three years of intense training, four Drew County 4-H members will represent Arkansas at the July 21-24 National WHEP competition to be held at Trafalgar, Indiana. WHEP is an acronym for Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program.
The first national event was held in 1989, and Arkansas 4-H joined the program in 1991. Across the nation, approximately 10,000 youth participate. The program is dedicated to teaching wildlife management to Cloverbud, Junior and Senior level (ages 5-19) youth in Arkansas. Nationally, WHEP has earned a solid reputation for being a 4-H program that fosters relationships between youth, professional wildlife and fisheries biologists, agents, volunteers, parents, teachers and farmers. Participants learn essential life skills such as oral and written communication and decision-making. Youth strengthen their self-concept and character through interaction with peers and professionals from Arkansas and different parts of the country.
Arkansas WHEP improves understanding of wildlife and habitat management, and has led some youth to pursue wildlife careers. Understanding wildlife and our natural resources is something that every 4-H’er can benefit from.
The team of Jacob Henson, Chase Owen, Bree-Anne Lanthrip, and Brianna White earned the honor to represent the state by winning the state competition held on April 26 near Mayflower. Not only did the Drew County team win first place at the event, but an additional senior Drew County team comprised of Brittany Brown and Hanbee Jung received second place.
Although junior members do not participate in the coming national event, the future is bright for future success by local 4-H’ers. Junior members Robby Kissell, Emma Wright, John Michael Gray, and Kyle Smith comprised Team A from Drew County and placed second. Team B participants of Jennifer Sneed, Josh Henson, and Anna Owen placed third. Fourth place was awarded to Team C members Haley Kissell, Victoria Stewart, and Jeremy Smith.
Drew County 4-H is no stranger to WHEP accomplishments. Last year, Matthew Spencer represented Drew County on the state team that earned third place at the national event. He also received third place high point individual award. Since youth can only participate at the national once, Matthew continues to serve as a volunteer mentor to the 2013 participants.
The Drew County WHEP 4-H club first began in 2010 with a handful of interested youth and parents. Since inception, the club has grown each year and now serves twenty-two 4-H members. The club is coached by leaders Sonya Sneed, Lynn Lanthrip, and several other parents.
Local financial support to offset travel costs has been amazing. We are proud to list the following businesses who have so generously donated toward this worthy cause: Lucky Chevrolet, Ryburn Automotive, Bank of Star City, Union Bank, Monticello Animal Clinic, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Ray’s Diner, State Farm Insurance, Drew County Farm Bureau, and Drew Farm Supply.
The Drew County 4-H program is open to all youth between the ages of 5 and 19 without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, or any other legally protected status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information should notify the county Extension office.
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