VIDALIA – Holly Foster is an involved 16-year-old heading into her junior year at Vidalia High School.

She has lettered in cheerleading for three years and is a member of the Student Council, Beta Club and French Club. She plays the flute for the band, and her 4.0 grade point average marks her as a candidate for valedictorian her senior year.

But when Foster decided to become more involved in 4-H, she really got involved – winning statewide competitions two years in a row. Foster joined the 4-H Club of Vidalia when she was in the fourth grade. When she was 14, a friend talked to her about getting more involved in 4-H activities.

&uot;He told me about the Junior Leadership Club, where 4-H’ers from all over Concordia Parish do community service together,&uot; said Foster, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Foster of Vidalia. Two years later, Foster is the vice president of the Vidalia High School 4-H Club and secretary and historian of the Junior Leadership Club.

This year, Foster took top honors in photography at the Louisiana 4-H Short Course competitions in June with her submission of an art exhibit and record book that logged all her photographic &uot;learning experiences&uot; including tours, exhibits and the number of rolls of film she used.

&uot;Every time I win, it seems to be more exciting than the time before,&uot; she said of the annual competition.

Foster won the state 4-H billboard contest in May, topping more than 4,000 entries. And last year, Foster won a first-place award which included a three-day trip to New Orleans.

&uot;Besides all the learning experience I have gained, I get to make friends all over the state of Louisiana,&uot; she said.

At the short course, Foster was also elected to serve on the state 4-H executive committee.

She is excited about serving her second term on the state 4-H Technology Board because members design the 4-H web site for the state of Louisiana. &uot;Since I’m (interested in) photography some of my pictures are displayed,&uot; she said.

Her pictures, including one of herself and her cat, can also be found on the Disney Web site called &uot;4-H’ers and their Pets.&uot;

Outside of her 4-H experience, Foster entered the International Open Amateur Photo Contest and her submission was published and can also be seen at www.picture.com.

The picture was taken at the bottom of Learned Mill Road in the front of the Natchez bluff stabilization project.

&uot;I call it ‘Guarding the Bluff,’ Foster said. &uot;It’s a shot of the lamp posts going up the bluff. It was the perfect shot.&uot;