Jessica Hale

Where can you learn to make your own prom dress, shoot a rifle, and study about plants and flowers? Well, believe it or not, every one of these things can be learned through your local 4-H program. I used to have a preconceived idea that 4-H was just a place to learn about caring for and showing livestock. Well, although that is true, it is only a small part of what the program has to offer. In fact, according to Jessica Hale, senior at Saltsburg High School, you can learn just about anything you want.

For the past ten years the Slickville 4-H program has been a major part of Jessica's life. Being in 4-H is practically a family tradition. Jessica's mother, her grandfather, and both older and younger sisters have participated in the program as well. Jessica is currently raising pigs and sheep that she will eventually take to the fair to be shown. The animals are judged mainly on muscle build, and to get them ready, Jessica runs the animals in a ring on her grandfather's farm.

In addition to working with animals, Jessica has been sewing since she was eight years old and every year makes a different outfit to be judged. When the project is complete, the outfit is modeled and judged on how well it is made and how it lays. Jessica made her prom dress last year and this year as well. What an amazing accomplishment! Her big project this year is a three-piece suit, which she will be able to wear to college interviews.

Jessica is also a Junior Camp Counselor for two different summer camps and was one of three people selected to attend the Buckeye Leadership Program. She received a full scholarship to go to a six-day workshop where she learned leadership skills, games, and songs.

Although her involvement in the 4-H program is very time consuming, Jessica has still managed to find time for school activities as well as her church youth group. In school, she is a cheerleader, a member of the track team and chorus, and a member of the "Stand Tall" puppet group, which performs for the elementary grades. She also volunteers her time to work with the younger cheerleaders.

Jessica and her family attend the Community United Presbyterian Church in New Alexandria. Jessica has invested a lot of time, energy, and love into the youth. Last year she was the president of the youth group and continues to be active in their meetings and outings. This is something that has been very rewarding for her and a blessing to others.

Very soon, Jessica will be facing some changes to her life. After graduation, she will be majoring in accounting at the Bradford School of Business in Pittsburgh. Math has always been her favorite subject and after taking an accounting class in school she found that she loved it. She will also be finishing with the 4-H program once she reaches the cutoff age of eighteen. This is something that she is really going to miss because it has been part of her life for a long time. She hopes to one day become a leader and help out as a volunteer with the 4-H program.

Jessica lives in Saltsburg with her parents David and Lorin Johnson and sisters Stephanie Hale and Trisha Johnson.