July 28, 2021
Arkansas 4-H O-Rama takes hybrid approach to state-level competitions
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
• Annual event to feature both in-person and virtual competitions
• Awards of Excellence dinner, ceremony scheduled for Thursday evening
• State-level competitions to be held Friday afternoon
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(Newsrooms: With file art of 2019 O-Rama at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmFqS14o; 2020 O-Rama at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmR7K8k3; ‘Priscella’ in 4th graf is CQ)
FERNDALE, Ark. — Arkansas 4-H members from around the state are meeting this week,
both in person and virtually, for the Arkansas 4-H O-Rama, the annual gathering to
elect new state officers, compete at the state-level in events ranging from fly fishing
to tractor maneuvers and more.
While the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center may be hosting the events and awards programs, organizers are meeting the challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic through hybrid events, incorporating both in-person and virtual participation through Zoom and other online platforms.
The competitions are manifestations of 4-H’s “learn by doing” ethos.
Priscella Thomas-Scott, 4-H events coordinator for the University of Arkansas System
Division of Agriculture, said that more than 200 Arkansas 4-H members will be participating
in this year’s O-Rama, which is themed “4-H’s Got Talent.”
“We have 4-H members who have submitted videos of performances in music, public speaking
and other events, others who will be competing live in Zoom sessions and still others
who will be competing Friday at in-person events,” Thomas-Scott said.
Arkansas 4-H O-Rama organizers held the event’s opening assembly Tuesday evening.
Wednesday’s activities included several virtual identification contests.
Thursday afternoon will feature several hours’ worth of activities before the invitation-only
Awards of Excellence Dinner at 5:30 p.m. The Awards of Excellence Ceremony will begin
at 6:30 p.m., during which scholarship recipients will be announced, as well as the
winner of the 2021 Arkansas Governor’s Award, the highest honor 4-H bestows in Arkansas.
On Friday morning there will be multiple in-person, district-qualifying events, including
gun safety, public speaking, fashion revue and more. At 1 p.m., state-level contests
in archery, tractor, impromptu public speaking and consumer decision-making will begin.
“We appreciate the efforts of our county agents, 4-H members and volunteers, and thank
them for continuing to be involved in 4-H, especially given the complications and
challenges of COVID-19,” Thomas-Scott said.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension
Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension.
To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural
Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch.
To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us
on Twitter at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen
agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption
of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative
Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work
within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas
System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension
and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex,
gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital
or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and
is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact:
Ryan McGeeney
Communications Services
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu