North Carolina 4-H Club Week at N.C. State, 1956

From the July 1956 issue of Extension Farm-News

Characterizing the assembled 4-H club members as “the most important group in North Carolina,” Dr. William H. Alexander, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City, Okla., was one of the featured speakers at the 30^th annual North Carolina Club Week held in Raleigh July 23-27.

Registration of the 1,200 delegates from all the counties of the state began Monday morning. Accompanied by county extension farm and home agents, the delegates met for their major sessions in the William Neal Reynolds Coliseum on the North Carolina State College campus.

President of the State 4-H Council Nancy Johnson of Route 1, Newton, presided at the opening evening session.

State Council officers who presided at other sessions of the annual meeting were Neal Kelly of Waynesville, vice-president; Ronald Pinkerton, Asheville, secretary-treasurer; and Joan Crawford, Haynesville, historian.

Chancellor of North Carolina State College Carey H. Bostian welcomed the delegates at the first morning session. Everett Bierman from the National 4-H Foundation described the work of the International Farm Youth Exchange program.

Dr. Alexander told the youthful leaders, “You don’t have to look like you are advertising a coffin factory nor use your lower lip for a lap robe to lead a clean, wholesome life.”

Rural Youth and Recreation for the State of Indiana Gordon Jones worked closely with the delegates during the meeting.

Wednesday evening’s featured event was the state dress revue. Gretchen O’Neall, last year’s winner, was presented to the audience at the beginning of the fashion show. The dress revue winner Florence Payne of Davidson County has been her county’s winner for the past three year.

The annual Health pageant, “Stamp of the Scots” was written by Margaret Finlays Spruill of Lumberton. It featured the 4-H members from Robeson County and the county winners from all over the state. At the conclusion of the pageant, the king and queen of health were named. Honored were Jerry White of Iredell County and Jean Edwards of Perquimans County.

The installation of the newly elected officers of the State Council took place on Friday night. The new officers are Bill Pennell, Lenoir, Route 2, president; Clyde Templeton, Olin, Iredell County, vice-president; Clara Vann Tysinger, Lexington, Route 6, secretary-treasurer; Buster Bunn, Asheville, Route 2, historian.