Name: Abby Stuckwisch
Grade: Sophomore
School: Brownstown Central High School
Sport: Softball
Number of years involved in 4-H: 7
Which 4-H activities are you involved in at the fair: Fashion Revue, Swine Show (Gilt and Barrow), Talent Show, Public Speaking, 4-H Royalty Events until Tuesday..
Q: How do you balance your sports and 4-H responsibilities?
A: “I keep a very intricate calendar to ensure that I can attend as many events for each as possible. When planning events/activities for 4-H, I bring along my sports schedule to try and plan around my practices and games. I also have to make many sacrifices and step back from a few opportunities because of sports conflicts. For example, I have decided not to run for a Junior Leader office at this time, because I would not be able to fulfill my duties as an officer.”
Q: What is your typical schedule like during the summer when it comes to 4-H and sports? What is an average day like?
A: “Because softball season is in the spring, most of my obligations occur during the winter and spring. During the summer, I only have a few softball games to participate in, meaning that I have very few conflicts over the summer. This allows me to focus almost wholeheartedly on 4-H during June and July. However, during the winter and spring seasons, I miss a few Junior Leader meetings in order to attend my softball meetings. I do make sure to get all the information discussed at the meetings to ensure that I am caught up on everything going on.”
Q: Why are you involved in both 4-H and athletics?
A: “Both 4-H and softball have provided me with innumerable opportunities and life lessons that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my years. They have taught me to work hard, to be a leader, and to communicate well with others. Lessons that I have learned in 4-H have carried over to softball, and lessons I have learned in softball have carried over to 4-H. By participating in both 4-H and softball, I get the best of both worlds and am able to take advantage of everything they have to offer.”
Q: What is something you’ve learned from 4-H that translates to your sport, or vise versa?
A: “Over the past few years I have led my club as a song leader, devotion leader, health and safety leader, and vice president. By filling these positions, I have gained many leadership and communications skills that I use when playing softball with my team. In reverse, softball has taught me to respect those of a higher authority and to always work hard. Because I have brought these attributes with me to my 4-H events, I have done better in my recent years’ projects and have grown immensely as a 4-Her.”
Q: Why would you encourage someone in 4-H to also participate in athletics?
A: “By participating in athletics, a 4-Her is able to fulfill the fourth leaf of the 4-H clover, health. Being an athlete has allowed me to get plenty of exercise during my day and to stay healthy. Also, participating in athletics allows you to meet and make connections with people from other schools.”
The Tribune recently spoke with five different Jackson County athletes that are also involved in 4-H. These fair features started Monday and run through Friday.