4-H is the youth organization administered by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, with the mission of engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.

Luke Bradshaw, the son of O.J. Bradshaw and Connie Bradshaw of Clinton, was named State Gold Winner in the Senior Division of the Citizenship and Civic Responsibility Category of the State 4-H Presentation Finals. Bradshaw’s presentation on Teen Court, which was entitled “Teen Court: Giving Teens a Second Chance”, was given during the State 4-H Club Congress held on July 21 in Raleigh.

DeLeon Wilkes, Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development said during a phone interview that “4-H Presentations are long standing traditional 4-H activities where youth learn presentation and teaching skills. They also learn how to use, design, and utilize props to make them more effective in their presentation skills.”

Wilkes continued, Bradshaw’s presentation on Teen Court, won at the district and state levels and is the State 4-H winner. He is to be commended for a job well done.

In his Teen Court Presentation, he discussed issues on sanction, court personnel, success rate, resources and how teens can go about getting into the Teen Court system.

Bradshaw, the 14-year-old upcoming freshmen, who has been home schooled for the past year has been a part of 4-H for five years now. Bradshaw and his family learned more about 4-H through Sampson Association of Family Educators (SAFE), the home school support group. Bradshaw’s, mother added “4-H gave them an outlet outside of home school.”

Bradshaw had so much to do to prepare for his presentation. He said that he had to do a lot of thinking for the title of his presentation, write out rough drafts, write his presentation out on note cards for easy understanding, transfer his speech onto the computer so he could make sure his spelling was correct and he even had to practice a lot with the timer to make sure he was meeting the time requirement. He also had to make sure he had great eye contact with his audience.

He said that he was shocked when he found out that he had been selected to win State gold for 4-H. “I was really shocked, because there was a guy after me that was really good, and I never got first at state, so I was overly excited when it actually happened.”

“I finally accomplished a long term goal that I set for myself, I went to State's for 4-H twice. The first and second times that I went I received the bronze, and after that I knew the third and final time would be for the gold,” said Bradshaw of his 4-H accomplishments. Bradshaw’s mother added that, “persistence pays off, never give up on your goal. A good lesson was learned through all these activities.”

Among enjoying 4-H, Bradshaw really enjoys volunteering in the Teen Court program which was what his presentation was focused on. When asked why he participates in both 4-H and Teen Court, he replied, “It's an alternative thing to do that does not involve school. Something new, different, and fun where I can meet new people,”

“ I started volunteering with Teen Court last September, I wanted to be a part of it for the past three years, but I wasn't old enough then to be a part of it then.”

“The training sessions were different, but I met a lot of new people in the process of learning.” Bradshaw has received his lawyer training to become a lawyer in the Teen Court program, and is eagerly excited to begin that next phase of Teen Court. Bradshaw has also been a front and back bailiff, served on the jury, and has been a court clerk.

Luke mentioned that all this training and experience that he is receiving will really help in his career of becoming a lawyer and a judge when he finishes high school and college.

Among all these great accomplishments Bradshaw just enjoys being himself. When Bradshaw is not involved with 4-H and Teen Court he enjoys playing outside with his younger brother and cousins; helping his aunt with his younger cousins; hanging out with friends; helping his grandma and parents; and listening to music.

Bradshaw wanted to thank all the people that supported him through this journey of preparing to go to State's. His parents; younger brother; grandparents; aunts and uncles; cousins; Wilkes; his pastor and his wife; Sunday School class; Bob Turner; Mrs. Lavender; and friends.

For more information on becoming a 4-H member or volunteer, please call Wilkes at 592-7161. Teens interested in Teen Court log onto www.youthcourt.net.

Amanda Spearman can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext 120.