LETTER TO THE EDITOR | 4-H rules for fair participation are very unfair

Editor, I have been a very active member of 4-H for my entire life. It has come to my attention that a particular member’s eligibility for fair is in question and I’d just like to state my opinion on the matter Ali and her mother are two people I’ve known a long time. I’m sure you’ve been informed of the ongoing custody battle her parents are undergoing.

Editor,

I have been a very active member of 4-H for my entire life. It has come to my attention that a particular member’s eligibility for fair is in question and I’d just like to state my opinion on the matter

Ali and her mother are two people I’ve known a long time. I’m sure you’ve been informed of the ongoing custody battle her parents are undergoing. To someone like myself who had 4-H as such a large part of their life, Ali uses horses as an outlet to deal with the stresses that come with legal and parent issues.

Ali is now leasing and competing on my horse, and has been doing incredibly. I have seen her show up at the barn, many hours late because of her father’s inability to comply with his court order, ride, wash, and prepare all of the things necessary and then apologize to me endlessly because of the time I lost due to her father.

Ali also traveled with me to the NSCA O-Mok-See this year, and competed among 18 other girls for royalty positions. As the outgoing Queen for this organization, I worked closely with the girls and the judges for this contest. I was very impressed by Ali’s ability to create friendships with the other girls, work endlessly in the arena, do any jobs she could.

In regards to her club duties, which I’m sure are a big part of why her eligibility is being questioned, I am unaware of the specifics. I am however, aware of how dedicated she is to her club. Upon hearing of her inability to participate at the fair, Ali informed me that she still intended on going and participating, doing whatever her club needed to help out her friends.

Having held every office throughout my time in 4-H, I understand why the rules that are in place stand, and how important it is to follow them. It should be noted that Ali and her mom did go out of their way to contact their superintendent and inquire about how her requirements could be met, so I am unsure how this has escalated this far without being addressed. It is also important to acknowledge when there is good cause to make exceptions and I’m sure that this is one of them.

CARA MATHEWS

Clinton