Kids and Technology

Check out this cool link to learn more about balancing technology and the harms of overusing!

http://childparenting.about.com/od/technologyentertainment/a/Kids-And-Technology-When-To-Limit-It-And-How.htm?utm_medium=partner&utm_source=4H&utm_campaign=nl

My name is Cameron Sanford. I am from Crockett County in the Western Region of Tennessee. I am 17 and am currently a senior at Crockett County High School. I have an older sister and a beautiful little niece. I have lived in Tennessee most of my life. One of my biggest passions other than 4-H is photography! I am a very outgoing person, and not afraid to express my opinion. 

I have been involved with 4-H like most youth since the 4th grade. It was not till the 6th grade that I knew my heart was 100% green! The opportunity came up for someone to be the June Dairy Month Chairman for my county. That is how I made my mark in 4-H! After being the Chairman I wanted to do more. Eager to be a leader I ran that upcoming August for The Photographer position in Honor Club. It was an awesome experience! After two years of being the photographer I knew I wanted to do more. In those two years, I met many amazing people that have helped me every step of the way! My 4-H agent and another very successful 4-H member that became to be my mentor. My third year in 4-H I ran for Vice President and got it! I was super excited and nervous at the same time. Now I serve as the President of our Honor Club, Deputy Chief (Vice President) in the Western Region All Stars, and former Deputy Chief for the Tennessee 4-H All Stars. I have been super blessed with all the amazing opportunities I have had in 4-H! 

Also, during the past almost 5 years I have been dedicated to Healthier Living! Starting 4-H I was about 5”10 and almost 200 pounds! I knew I was on an unhealthy path and wanted to change! Now, I am 6”2 and 140 pounds! I can honestly say I do not know where I would be without 4-H in my life!

Currently, I serve as one of the National Healthy Living Youth Ambassadors for National 4-H Council. I specialize in Bullying Prevention, Physical Fitness, and Nutrition. Allie Lansman from Iowa is our amazing nutrition expert that has taught me so much! It has been a little over a year since I took this blind step into a new leadership position. The Healthy Living Ambassador position will be open to anyone in 4-H that has a passion for Healthy Living. It is hard to put into words how AWESOME this position is! Just to help, I am currently on a Delta flight and on my way to Los Angeles, California for a Red Carpet event. The National 4-H Council is a partner with the Great American NO BULL Challenge. The present a video contest each year for youth that are passionate about stoping bullying. I have worked with the organization for the past few years. Crockett County 4-H group (my local 4-H club) submitted two videos and both were selected to be presented at the awards. 

That is just one of the amazing opportunities that we have had. I could talk about when the ambassadors went to California to work with the Biggest Loser on the Riding It Forward Campaign, or when we were the leaders at the National Healthy Living Summit in D.C.  I can honestly say as a 17 year old from small town Tennessee that I have been fortunate enough to work with a beyond amazing youth development organization called 4-H! Devoted to service to help their community, their country, and their world! 

I encourage ANYONE that has thought about applying for the ambassador position to please be on the lookout for the application and apply! When I applied I though to myself “they will never pick someone like me because I don't have a lot of leadership experience, they will never pick someone from the rural south, etc.” But, they did and we have GREAT ambassadors all over. A very good friend of mine Oakley G. Perry is from the great state of Georgia. Laura Meany is from Minnesota, Tristian Chester is from California, Allie Lansman is from Iowa, and Ru Ekanayake is from California as well. We are a very diverse group of young adults that bring so much to the table! 

If you guys ever need anything or want additional information about the Ambassador position, healthy living information, or anything about 4-H please do not hesitate to contact me! My contact information will be at the bottom. 

I want to thank any and all 4-H Members in the United States for their dedicated work to this amazing organization! I also want to say a big THANK YOU to the local Extension workers and state 4-H Staff for their unending support and dedication to helping the members to be the best that they can be! Lastly, I want to thank the staff at the National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters for all of their work as well! If it wasn't for Mrs. Joanne Leatherman the ambassadors would have not been as successful as we have been.  

Thank you! 

-Cameron Sanford 

National Healthy Living Youth Ambassador 

Email: ccsanford2016@gmail.com 

This was in 2010 at one of my first 4-H Meetings. 

I'm the one in the orange shirt.

This was yesterday (5/7/15) at the NO BULL Challenge 

This was from the Riding It Forward Campaign at the Biggest Loser Ranch. 

My Weight Loss Journey

Hello Everyone! My name is Allie Lansman, I am currently a senior studying dietetics at Iowa State University, and I am the National Healthy Living Ambassador representing Iowa. 

Today, I wanted to take some time to introduce myself to you and talk about my experience with 4-H and Health Living and why these are the two most important aspects of my life. 

2015 has marked my 13^th consecutive year being involved in 4-H. It is amazing that it has been so long since I was a wide-eyed, shy, and excited 4th grader, eager to become the 4^th generation of my family to join 4-H, unknowing of the future opportunities that the program held in store for me. 

I jumped full force into 4-H, taking advantage of the experiences, opportunities, and skills that 4-H offered, which are all still important aspects of my life that I use today. But through these amazing moments in my life, 4-H became something that is so much more to me than a club or program. It is a true love, finally somewhere I could fit in and be myself. The most important thing it ever gave me was the confidence to believe in myself. This may not seem like much, but to me it was everything. It has helped me with many difficult situations that I have struggled through in my life, one of the most defining trials was my life long fight with obesity.

Being obese was something I lived with the majority of my life. Starting from a very young age, being overweight has already enveloped my life. When I was young, I did not realize what was wrong with me, I just knew I looked different than all of the other children, particularly girls, my age. Once I became older, I realized what was different about me and that it was developing into a serious problem, topping out at 135lbs in 6th grade. Teachers and even doctors begged me to lose weight, but no matter what, I could not get myself to change. I struggled to get through daily life, walking up the stairs was hard and I never participated in sports or PE because I was extremely embarrassed and I knew that I would get viciously made fun of as I had been many times before. I struggled a lot with self-image, being constantly paranoid about what I looked like and what others were thinking about the way I looked. I was constantly focused on this fact, while many of my classmates and friends were focused on looking pretty and wearing make-up I was focused on making sure no one paid attention to the way I looked and the fact that I was very fat. I remember during my 5th and 6th grades I alternated wearing 2 different baggy sweatshirts all year round so that maybe no one would look at me a notice my shape. I also took it upon myself to never look in a mirror, because every time I did all I would think how ugly and chunky I was on the outside, never giving consideration to the sweet and beautiful person I was on the inside. This constant negative self-talk took a toll on my emotional health and lead me to be an introverted, pessimistic person. 

I also struggled with bullying because of my weight while in school. The boys and girls were both mean, constant jokes and name calling. I knew never to get to close or communicate with the "jock" type boys or "popular" & "pretty" girls in my class, I knew they did not think I was pretty, but I never wanted to be told that to my face. All of this causing many emotional breakdowns and crying sessions as I drove home when class was over. 

            

Yet, even though I was miserable on the inside, I kept up the appearance of denial I with a happy smile on the outside to make sure that no one could see my pain and shame that I felt of myself.I was actually very good at pretending to be happy as a very involved student (I was in almost every activity you would think of, NOT SPORTS!!!), with decent grades and great best friends.

FINALLY!!!!!

One day I was walking in my PE class behind a couple of girls (not my favorite people in the world), when I looked up and noticed one of the girls was walking with her thighs clenched together and her feet out, making fun of the way my thighs rubbed together when I walked, then they would both turn back and laugh right at my face. 

When I left school, I was not sad, I was furious. I was so angry and I did not believe that anyone had the right to laugh straight in my face. I began to realize that this is what everyone expected of me for the rest of my life, a fat girl faking happy. Well, I was going to show them, all of them!

I had finally hit that point: I was fed up with what I had done to myself, I was sick of being unhappy and depressed, and I wanted to start being myself and letting the real Allie shine!

I was 5'3" and 171lbs. It was time to make a change.

I had a honest talk with my mother (AKA: my rock & my best friend), who has also struggled with obesity her whole life, and told her how I was feeling and that I needed to change my life. She agreed with me and we made a pact to do this together as a team, constantly providing each other support and keeping each other working toward our goals. 

Because I spent the majority of my life obese, I had to lose the weight by completely changing my entire lifestyle. NO FAD DIETS!!! I began with the food I was consuming, by implementing portion control, switching to wholesome and more nutritious foods, and learning the nutrition that I required on a daily basis. I then added exercise and I can truthfully say that I am at least 99.99% more active than I was three years ago, because I never exercised before. 

I will and cannot lie to any of you,  this was the most hard and difficult challenge I have ever been in. I literally had to change my entire life. I decided to do this the hard way too, without magic pills or mail-order programs, because I am a person that believes appreciation comes from hard work, and trust me I am appreciative of every single second and drop of sweat that I put into this goal.

Eventually, after a ton of hard work and a few struggles and setbacks along the way, I was able to complete my journey successfully lose 50lbs  in one year (my mom lost 50lbs, too!).  

And I did show everyone that had ever doubted me or expected me to be fat/get fatter for the rest of my life, but through my process of losing weight, the journey turned into so much more. Yes it does feel good when I walk into a room and people see me and their jaws drop or when someone who had previously made fun of me in high school has to tell me that I look amazing, but honestly, other than the confidence boost, none of that matters to me anymore. This is about me and how I feel, this is about what I think of me and not what others think, this is about me saving my life.

On this journey, I became a whole new me, and I really enjoyed this leaner, healthier, but most importantly, happy Allie.

Practice Positive Self Talk

            Most of us undergo constant mental chatter throughout the day.  Unfortunately, we sometimes find that this self talk is often negative.  I am going to show you some steps to overcome this negative chatter, and replace it with positive self talk.

Step 1.  You first need to eliminate this internal negative chatter.  First, stop angering yourself over things you can't control, such as moving to a new town or going to a new school.  Saying "I can't" creates a mental barrier between you and your goals.  Instead, try thinking of how you can make the most out of it by looking for an opportunity that only a fresh start can provide. 

Step 2.  Next you need to replace negative chatter and use a positive attitude.  The more you think highly of yourself, a more happier and relaxed individual you will be.  It is also good to confront your fears.  Fear can often hold you back from success.  You will usually find that the worst that can happen is not as bad as you think.  When you let go of your fears, you have the energy you need to use towards having a positive outlook.  

Here are some quotes that people said years ago, that due to people practicing positive self talk, have been proven completely false.

1. "There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in their home."

-Kenneth Olsen, President and Founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, in 1977

2. "Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value."

-Marshal Ferdinand Foch, French Military Strategist and Future World War I Commander, in 1911

3. "[Man will never reach the moon] regardless of all future scientific advances."

-Dr. Lee De Forest, Inventor of the Audion Tube and Father of Radio, on February 25, 1967

4. "[Television] won't be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night."

-Darryl F. Zanuck, Head of 20th Century Fox, in 1946

5. "This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us."

-Western Union Internal Memo, in 1876

6. "Everything that can be invented has been invented."

-Charles H. Duell, U.S. Commissioner of Patents, in 1899

Again... all of these comments have been proven false, due to someone's power of positive thinking.

Step 3.  The last step is focus on enjoyable moments. You will retain a much happier attitude if you focus on these instead of the difficult ones.  Once you have drawn upon obstacles in life that you have overcome, it is much easier to look ahead to see what more you can accomplish later in life.

Remember... one of my favorite quotes that I live by is ... whether you believe you will or you won't, you're right.

-Tristan

National 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador, CA

My Bullying Story - Oakley G. Perry

When I set down to write this blog post I wondered where to start. I thought to myself. “Should I start in the 4^th grade, earlier, or later?” I decided that to fully understand my story I had to start at the beginning. I look down at photo albums and I can show others pictures of my family! I can show you my father and me at a carnival and all of us going on road trips and etc. What I cannot show you is where it began. Where my life changed drastically. I remember the Christmas where I got the hot wheels race track and the remote controlled truck, and then I remember the Christmas filled with fussing. My parents separated when I was at an early age. I still remember the day my mother decided to tell my sister and me about it.

The last day my father was at our home is one I will remember forever. It was late at night and I heard a scream. I ran into the kitchen where my father stood and asked what had happened. His reply was, “Your mama, sister, and you do not love me anymore.” I then walked into my parent’s bathroom where I saw my mother crying after an altercation. I did not see my father for quite some time after this.

I became highly depressed after this and done what so many do, I ate my way out of my depression. I gained over 100 pounds in one year. I remember being picked on for my size, the way I dressed, the way I talked and acted. This continued the cycle. I would become more depressed because of what people said to me and the pain they caused me. “You're fat!” was a common one. Others where, “You're ugly,” “You are strange,” “You dress funny,” “You talk funny,” and many more.

Apparently wearing button up/down shirts, liking 50’s music, and loving politics is just not normal in elementary school. Once I had a “friend” who decided he was going to tell me every day how ugly my clothes were and how I should dress like him. Another person told me that I wore eye makeup because I was so ugly, I've never worn eye make up by the way. Lots of kids gave me great advice and told me that liposuction would help me out tons.

In the early part of fifth grade I decided that I had enough of it all. I decided that I was worthless. It is extremely easy to convince yourself that you're worthless after being told every day that you are worthless. In the lunchroom of my school I wrote my plans on a paper napkin and folded it up and put in my shirt pocket. That afternoon I went into my mother and stepfather's bedroom, I unlocked the gun cabinet, and pulled out a gun. My life was already pointless and there was no reason for me to continue living. I sat on their bed, and while crying, I sobbed all the hurtful remarks I had been told. I said that no one loved me, that I was gay, that I was ugly, that I was fat, and that I just needed to die. I pointed to gun towards me and then I heard the door to the house open. I ran inside my mother’s bathroom and hid the gun. I cleaned myself up and walked out to find my grandmother standing there. She gave me a hug and a kiss on the forehead and told me she loved me! She then told me she felt like she needed to let me know that and that she would not know what to do without me. She then left and walked across the dirt country road to her home. I then put up the gun and quickly followed her. In that moment I decided that the bullying I was facing was not going to get the best of me! I knew it was not over, but I knew I was stronger than the words people said to me.

Later that same year I joined 4-H! I met two people who loved me no matter what! My 4-H Agent, Mrs. Sheila Marchant, and 4-H Program Assistant, Mrs. Lynn Thompson, was there for me no matter what. 4-H provided me with a safe environment where I could be myself. At 4-H I was not worried about the way I looked, dressed, talked, or acted, because I was Oakley G. Perry! I was important! I could make the best better just like anyone else could. Now just because I started in 4-H did the bullying stop? No! I was even bullied for being such an active 4-H member. Teased for doing what I enjoyed, but I knew I was making a difference.

In middle school the bullying continued. I stayed away from gym classes after one experience with a coach who laughed at me. After that I stayed away from a teacher, when I could, who called me a nerd or a dork every single day in his classroom. I learned in middle school that bullying was not always youth to youth or peer to peer but can be adult to youth and youth to adult! I also learned that teachers can be some of the best bystanders. In the eighth grade I had a teacher who heard a girl call me fat and ugly. The girl told me, “You so fat you can hardly even fit in the desk!” The teacher did nothing. That same year I had to sit during lunch with three other boys at a small table; we were directed where to sit at each day. The boys sat down and started talking about how fat I was. Then one said, “And Oakley why are you so gay?” I did not even have a chance to say that I was not – although that does not make anyone any less of a person or any less great – before another said, “Yes, I bet you would love for us to give you our…” I'll let you decided what his last word was. These boys then went on to talk about how I would love for them to do things to me. I started to cry and got up and ran away to the library. The sad thing is my table was right beside the teacher’s table and I had to run right beside all of them while I was crying, but not one of them done anything. I cried for 45 minutes straight in the back of the library before anyone even came to see what was wrong, and when they did it was a support staff member. She came and gave me a hug and told me everything was okay. Just so you know those boys all had to wash lunch room tables for a day during recess for their punishment.

In high school the bullying continued in the 9^th grade, but then it stopped in the 10^th. See bullying has a few characteristics. One is that there has to be a real or perceived power imbalance. Lots of time we see the example of a tall kid and a short kid, but that is many times not the case. In my case it was social class. I was perceived to be less popular and lower on the totem poll if you will. In the 10^th grade I was elected by my peers in 4-H to serve on the Southeast District Senior Board of Directors in Georgia. This position represented the 39 counties’ 4-H programs in the Southeast corner of Georgia. When elected my perceived power imbalance changed and the bullying stopped.

That year I had to write a speech on any topic to present at the board training. I told my program assistant Mrs. Thompson that I wanted to start fighting bullying. I sat down and wrote my story in a speech. I told of how I tried to become a normal person, but how 4-H taught me that there is no such thing as a normal person. I told of the many hurtful words and all that had happened to me! When finished, there was not a dry eye. I began then working to help others fight and prevent bullying.

Over the course of the next few years I would help start the Georgia 4-H Bully Buster Program, now Teens Learning and Caring to Prevent Bullying, become elected the Georgia 4-H President, give speeches to thousands of youth about bullying, teach bullying prevention at national workshops and events, and be selected to serve in the position I do now as a National Healthy Living Youth Ambassador. So many times I pray to my God and ask why I had to go through what I did. I ask why I had to lose my family, I ask why youth and adults had to be so hurtful, but then I realize that my mission on this word is to help others! I realize that not every youth fighting bullying can have an outlet like 4-H or reverse the power imbalance as I did. I realize that we need advocates for people being bullied. If someone was to ask me would I go back and change it all, I would say no! I would tell them I would still go back and point the gun to my head, I would go back and take the remarks and the pain, because those experience is the reason I am able to help others today. If when I die I have only helped one other person overcome bullying then my pain would be worth it all! We are all unique and have gifts and talents. We all can go do great things and make a difference.

Last year I was invited to be a part of a youth panel at the Federal Partners Bullying Prevention Summit in Washington D.C. at the event I said, “I will fight for the rest of my life to end bullying or until it is no longer an issue!” this is what I intend on doing for no one should ever cry themselves to sleep as I have, or feel the need to cause pain on themselves, or feel worthless.

I end all of my speeches the same way. It is a signature thing of mine and I felt it only fitting to end this blog post the same way. I am Oakley G. Perry, a South Georgia 4-H’er, who through the power and magic of 4-H is now a shining diamond helping other however I can! I am and always will be not only Jeff Davis County 4-H and not only Georgia 4-H, but I am 4-H!

If you have any questions, want to know what you can do in the world of bullying prevention, or have a concern please contact me at ogperry@uga.edu 

Saving Justin

Hello Everyone!

We as ambassadors have been contacted with a very important task, which is ‪#‎SavingJustin‬! Justin Williamson is an talented young aspiring singer that is suffering from severe obesity, an illness that is spreading rapidly throughout our country. Please visit this KickStarter page to learn more about Justin's journey and help raise the funds to launch his first single!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/240541560/saving-justin-when-i-sing?ref=video

-Allie Lansman
National Healthy Living Ambassador, IA
Iowa State University Extension

One Foot in Front of the Other

Hey guys! It’s Ru, from southern California.

Today I’d like to talk about an activity that is near and dear to my heart: running. 

I can hear you groaning. 

Ewwwww, RUNNING? Who does that except psycho PE teachers?

I hear ya. 

I’ve never really liked running myself. It’s hot, sweaty, and frankly, kind of boring. There’s nothing really to do, you just move your legs and pump your arms. There’s no strategy involved, and the only reward you get is that gross runner's face.

But a few years ago, I found myself—against my better judgement—lacing up my shoes to go on a run.

How did I end up here?

Well, when I stopped playing competitive soccer back in middle school, I enjoyed the break—for a while. 

As time passed, I found myself feeling tired all the time. I was sluggish, moved slower, and was in bad moods more often. 

For a girl who used to live for endorphin highs, not exercising was not fun.

So, I decided to start running. I figured: it was cheap, easy, and a good way to get my heart rate up again. 

Two out of three isn’t bad.

Starting to run was not easy. Running back and forth across a soccer field is completely different from actually going on a run, and the transition was tough.

But as time passed, I found that running became less of a battle and more of a benefit. 

For all you endorphin junkies: running gives you  a natural high that nothing else can match. 

If you’re trying to lose weight, it burns crazy amounts of calories.

And as crazy as it sounds, running is one of the most relaxing activities I’ve done. See, the thing is: when you’re running, your brain is set free. It’s up to you whether you want to keep your mind blank, work out a problem, or just fantasize about your latest crush. And no matter how you start out, you’ll always feel calm and collected when you finish your run. 

And so, I’d like to share with you some tips to encourage you to start running too, and get the most out of your experience.

1. Get the right shoes. If you’re seriously looking at running as a way to lose weight, get in shape, whatever, you NEED to have proper footwear. I learned this one the hard way—note: cheap $12 running shoes AREN’T going to cut it. You’ll end up with shin splints, blisters, or in my case: running through your shoes and crashing your big toe into the sidewalk. Sound painful? It was. And bloody. So make sure to go to an actual sports store, talk to the attendants, measure your foot, and get some quality shoes. Usually they run from $40 upwards, but trust me: it’s an investment you’ll be glad you made. 
2. Start off slow. If you’re not a runner, don’t go for a 10 mile run the first day. I thought I was in shape, but I still remember finishing my 5 mile run that first day and thinking: never again. It’s incredibly important to know what you’re capable of, and don’t push yourself too hard. This keeps you safe, and motivated. If a 10 minute run is all you can manage, don’t plan a 3 mile uphill. The cool thing about running is that you’ll always get better, so begin where you’re comfortable. 
3.  Map out a fabulous route. One of the best parts about running is seeing the scenery. So, pick a route that speaks to you. If I sound kind of Yoda, here’s what I mean: choose to run where you can look around and feel happy. Whether that’s around your gorgeous neighborhood, between skyscrapers in NYC, or overlooking the beach like me, make sure to pick a route that makes the run worthwhile. 
4.  Get a buddy. Running is probably one of the hardest exercises because it’s so self-dependent. It’s hard to push yourself to get up that last hill, and sometimes your willpower fails you. Getting a friend or family member to join you lets you motivate each other, stick to your goals, and bond together in sweat. 
5.  Stay hydrated. Unless you’re running for more than an hour, it’s not likely that you’ll need to bring a water bottle with you. But, make sure to drink plenty of water before you head out. This doesn’t mean chugging four glasses five minutes before you leave—this is the surest way to end up with cramps.

I hope this short list motivates some of you to give running a try. It’s tough when you first start, but like anything worth doing, it takes practice.

The health and mental benefits are unbelievable and best of all: you’re left with an incredible sense of accomplishment in yourself. 

Happy running!

Love,

Ru Ekanayake

National Healthy Living Ambassador, CA