ANDERSON — Sammy Pape now knows what it is like to have 10 years of 4-H under her belt.
Throughout her 10 years as a 4-H member, Pape has participated in projects like wearable arts, consumer clothing, non-wearable and wearable sewing, rabbits and child development.
Pape, a resident of Anderson, said her interest in 4-H stems from seeing her older siblings in the fair.
“I was kind of born and raised into the 4-H Fair,” Pape said. “I kind of followed in my siblings’ footsteps, and I just got to see them as they won all of their accomplishments. I watched them learn how to lose well, too. It was a good experience.”
Jill Pape, Sammy’s mother, said she was involved in 4-H in Ohio. After moving the family to Indiana, she was looking for ways to connect in the community. When her oldest daughter brought home a 4-H flyer from school, Jill had her answer.
Jill said 4-H has helped Sammy expand her comfort zone.
“Watching her be able to, through the years, grow and talk to the judges,” Jill Pape said, “it pushed (her) outside of her box and taught her leadership skills as she was different officers within her club. She also learned life skills, like she can sew, and things that she would not have been able to do if it was not for 4-H.”
Sammy Pape said 4-H has taught her many lessons, including working hard, being precise, paying attention to detail, and that it is OK if something does not happen the way she hoped it would.
Sammy Pape said she has enjoyed making new friends and learning about all the different projects through the years. She said she has learned “lifelong skills” that she will use after her time in 4-H.
She added that becoming a 10-year 4-H member is special to her because she is not the only one in her family who has experienced this milestone.
“I have three older siblings who have already hit it,” Pape said, “so it is like my turn to hit that 10 years. Just knowing that I committed to it and every moment where I wanted to give up where I was like, ‘I cannot do this anymore. It’s so hard,’ I was able to persevere through all those moments and get to this amazing accomplishment.
“It is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”