Local 4-H member, Greg Howard, from Austinburg finished 1^st at the 59^th Annual National 4-H Engineering, Science and Leadership Event in West Lafayette, Indiana, October 4 through the 6 of 2009.  He competed in Electricity, one of six contestants in the event.    

The event drew in 61 contestants from 11 states.  Areas of competition included; aerospace, bicycle, computer, electric, lawn tractor, robotics, small engines, tractor, and welding.  All of the contestants had won county and state competitions to qualify for the national event. 

            Contestants and accompanying adults spent a day on educational field trips at Purdue University and Indianapolis.  Included were workshops in the Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Aviation Technology and guided tours of Fowler Ridge Wind Farm and Subaru of Indiana Automotive.

            The event was conducted by Extension Agricultural Engineers and the 4-H Professionals from participating states.  John Deere and Company sponsored the Lawn Tractor and Small Engines contests.  Lincoln Electric sponsored the Welding contest. Landis and Gyr and Stuart C. Irby Company sponsored the Electric contest.   

            Greg’s first place was gained through a competition in which he competed in three areas.  Fifty percent of the score was from a 15 minute presentation in which Greg prepared.  The other fifty percent was from two different tests.  One of the tests was on electric parts and the other test was on all the 4-H books that had to do with electricity.

            Our County 4-H program is so proud of Greg and his accomplishments at this National Event.  Congratulations Greg!!!!!!!!!!!