Long time fair judge shares importance of 4-H

By Karyn Spory, Mt. Pleasant News

It?s nearly noon and instead of collectible cars, the Antique Car Building on the Old Threshers grounds is filled with handcrafted 4-H projects; their blue and red ribbons billowing in the breeze created by the two industrial size fans near the north exit.

Mike Zecher, a 15-year judging veteran, sits quietly at a long folding table, waiting for the next child to bring their exhibit.

Zecher, a former Mt. Pleasant resident, has made an annual pilgrimage back to Henry County just to work as a fair judge. ?Every year they ask me to come back, so I did,? he jokes.

While a Mt. Pleasant resident, Zecher was a leader on the 4-H council, but when his work moved him away, the council asked if he would still like to be involved.

This year, Zecher made the hour and a half trek from Aledo, Ill., to see what the Henry County 4-H Clubs had worked up. But this is by far not the furthest he?s driven. Even while he and his family lived in the west-central city of Harlan, he made it a point to come back for the fair.

?I?m a teacher at heart,? Zecher says of why he continues to come back. ?I love the interaction with kids and having them tell me about their project; watching their faces light up as they describe what they did and how they did it. And then if I can help teach along the way, give them some advice, to me that just makes it all worthwhile.?

Over the years Zecher has judged several different categories, this year he?s focused on photography, agriculture and natural resources, and science and engineering.

Zecher said there isn?t one category he prefers to judge as they each have their own qualities.

?For me, photography is kind of a blend between the technical side of the camera capturing the image and the artistic side,? he said.

When judging photography, Zecher said he looks to see that the technical aspects have been met. ?Things like the exposure, the way the camera was set and if it?s blurry,? he explained. ?And then on the artistic side, it?s the design. It?s why they put this side of the image here versus the center. All of those artistic elements.?

For agriculture and natural resources, as well as science and engineering, the degree of projects range from wildflowers, to woodworking to welding. ?I?ve seen a lot of different things over the years,? he said.

Although judging for this year?s fair is over and done with, Zecher has a few tips for next year?s batch of exhibitors.

?The big thing for them is to just be themselves,? he said.

Zecher, who also judges 4-H entries in Illinois, said the big difference between the two states is Iowa has a focus on the interview process. ?There?s a lot to be said for the dialogue,? he said.

And as for the kids, Zecher says don?t be nervous. ?Don?t be afraid of talking to the judge. They?re not there to scold you or nitpick your project apart. They really want to know what you did and especially if (the child) can show some passion behind it, show some excitement.?

For Zecher, that?s what 4-H is all about, an opportunity for kids to explore different subjects and find their passion. ?It?s the passion, the excitement and the enthusiasm that they convey during that brief discussion that we have together.?

Zecher, a 4-H kid in his own right, said the impact the club has is outstanding.

?4-H is a great means of learning different kinds of things,? said Zecher. ?Obviously certain things can lead to careers down the road, but I look at my own life, I was involved in 4-H for 10 years and I had lots of different projects. Some of them sparked more of an interest than others, but it?s that building, growing and developing and trying to understand.?

Overall, Zecher says 4-H is a great way for kids to be introduced to things they might not normally do or subjects they might not typically study.?

As the day progressed and more and more exhibits were brought in and ribbons were awarded, Zecher hopes to be back for a 16th year.

?I love it,? he said.