By Christian Coffman

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Kyla Baskin recently took home a first-place award at a regional 4-H meeting for her visual presentation on firearm safety.

Baskin, 12, said that when she accepted her first place award it felt good.

“I didn’t expect it to be me, but I was happy,” Baskin said.

Baskin was one of eight Adams County 4-H Club members who earlier this month attended the Southwest 4-H Project Achievement Day at Hinds County Community College. The event had many categories for members to choose from.

The children ages 8 to 13 participated in the program that was designed to develop both oral and written communication skills while becoming knowledgeable in their topic of interest.

The 4-H members present were from Adams, Jefferson, Claiborne, Rankin, Pines and other counties from southwest Mississippi.

Members had several categories to choose from, from  farming to photography to engineering.

Visuals were made of three flat boards and the 4-H member discussed their topic to peers and judges in three to five minutes.

Judging contests consisted of making decisions about what to purchase in everyday activities.

The eight children who attended received ribbons for their projects during the awards ceremony after the achievement day.

Adams County Extension Service Agent Jason Jones said that youth who participate in the project achievement day must place first through third in their event to get a ribbon or trophy.

“Adams County 4-H has an awards program each year celebrating and giving awards to all the 4-H members and volunteers for their achievments,” Jones said.

Jones said he wanted to congratulate all eight of his “4-H’ers” on their hard work and success.

“I am very proud of them,” Jones said.

Baskin said she had a good time at the achievement day and placed first in the “other projects visual” division.

Her project was titled “Gear Up for Gun Safety,” which focused on guns, how to use them and how to take care of them.

Baskin’s mother, Tawania Baskin, said 4-H members had time before the achievement day to decide what they were going to present.

When the Southwest 4-H members arrived they were broken up into their sections, which ended up being seven.

“She talked about how to shoot firearms, what to wear, how to go to target practice and how to treat them and clean them,” Baskin said. “Gun safety is a passion of hers.”

Tawania Baskin said that because her daughter spoke in front of judges and her peers, the presentation taught her something about public speaking.

“What it does is teach her how to do public speaking, being able to go through her topic and discuss it,” Baskin said.

Kyla Baskin said she never expected to be at the achievement day, but she ended up learning about topics from other presentations outside of her “other” category.

“I learned a lot from other people in my category, I learned about horses and how to take care of bunnies and dogs,” Kyla Baskin said.

Kyla Baskin said she would go to the next achievement day if the opportunity arose and would probably try to do a project on food or clothing.

The 4-H Club is a global network of youth organizations whose mission is to engage children into reaching their fullest potential.

The four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

First focused on agricultural activities, the 4-H Club has extended interests to emphasizing personal growth and preparation for lifelong learning.

To join, contact Jones’s office at 601-445-8201.

They can also visit the office at 75 A Carthage Point Road or email at j.jones@msstate.edu.

Youth will need to fill out a 4-H enrollment form signed by a parent or guardian.

Joining the 4-H Club is free to all children ages 5 to 18.