4-H youths show off fashions
By Frances Borsodi Zajac Herald-Standard
Nicole Hunyady showed off a blue Hawaiian print dress as she took the stage at the Fayette County 4-H Fashion Show on Sunday afternoon.
A junior at Uniontown Area High School, Hunyady is in her first year of 4-H. She is a member of the Curfew Clovers .
“I thought it would give me something to do and it would be fun,’ Hunyady, interviewed after the show, said of her reason for joining 4-H. “It was nice. It taught me about sewing and I was able to meet new people. It was a new experience.’
Hunyady was one of 14 youths who participated in Sunday’s fashion show that allows them to model outfits they have made in their 4-H clubs this year. Members of five clubs participated in the show: Homeschoolers, Sew Special, Curfew Clovers, Menallen Stitchers and The Sunshine Bunch.
The youths ranged from Cloverbuds, a non-competitive organization for children ages 5 to 8 that is a prelude to 4-H, to junior level and senior level youths. Two seniors in Sunday’s show did well enough in recent regional competition to compete at the state level this coming Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Penn State University in State College. They are Ashley Pennington, 13, who is home schooled, and Sarah Howarth, 17, who is a senior at Uniontown Area High School. Rebecca Shearer, 15, a sophomore at Uniontown High School, also placed at the regional level.
“This is my first year,’ noted Pennington, who is a member of the Home Schoolers and Sew Special clubs. “I don’t know why I’m doing sewing. I just got tired of paying for my own clothes.’
Pennington’s outfit was a burgundy skirt with a black wrap that she based on a 99-cent Esmeralda costume that she bought on sale.
“You can put your own stuff into it,’ Pennington noted of sewing.
Howarth, a member of Menallen Stitchers who modeled a black skirt with a floral print and a black top, has been involved in 4-H for nine years. She was sewing even before that.
“I really like competition,’ said Howarth. “I like seeing what I can do. I even surprise myself seeing the different things I can do.’
This will also be Howarth’s first time at state competition as schedule conflicts prevented her previously from competiting at the regional level needed to qualify for state competition. She’s excited not only to compete but also to visit the Penn State main campus.
Howarth also enjoys being involved in 4-H: “It’s helped me to see lots of my friends over the summer and meet new friends – people I would never have met otherwise.’
Shearer, who modeled a light brown peasant top and corduroy pants, is a member of Curfew clovers and will be a sophomore at Uniontown Area High School She has been involved in 4-H since she was 8.
“It teaches you a lot of stuff,’ Shearer said. “I’m in cooking and sewing. It teaches you to cook and be safe. It teaches you how to sew. I like that we can make our own clothes.’
Other youths who participated in Sunday’s fashion show included Cloverbuds: Summer Reed, who modeled a tropical halter top and skort; Katie Batronis, who showed off a pink shorts set and beach hat; River Reed, Jacob Batronis and Samuel Martin, who modeled fishing outfits; juniors Joi Martin, who sewed a white blouse and skirt; Kelly Jo Batronis, who created a blue pull-over dress and matching bag; Rebekah Hudock, a student at Hatfield Elementary, who showed off a striped top with butterfly appliqu?, blue pants and a blanket; Molly McClure, 12, a student at Ben Franklin School, who created a light purple Capri pants and matching sleeveless shirt; seniors Katie Fitzsimmons, who is a sophomore at Uniontown Area High School, who modeled a red-and-gray plaid suit.
Cathy Brady, county agent in charge of 4-H, commented, “I thought the show went very well.’
She mentioned the addition of the Cloverbuds should increase membership in 4-H sewing clubs in the future and noted local officials are proud to see that Shearer placed at regionals and Howarth and Pennington will compete at the state level.
“My daughter was a state winner in 1996. It’s a wonderful experience to go through this,’ said Brady. “I’d like to see more of our kids do this.’
MCs for Sunday’s show included Brady, Howarth and Rachel Shearer.
More youths will participate in the Fayette County Fair’s 4-H sewing competition this Tuesday when all entries in the Youth Building are judged. For more information on joining a sewing club, stop by the Youth Building or call the extension office at 724-438-0111.