Dawn Stuckey, 4-H Youth Development Agent
The month of December is full of reminders about giving to others. When presented with the challenge of giving back to the community, Hampton County 4-H Jr. Leaders debated how they could be the most impactful and decided to learn CPR and First Aid. By earning this certification, they could help others wherever they may be. All the participants play sports and feel that this would also benefit their school and team in an emergency. During the December session, Jr. Leaders met with Mrs. Susanne Peeples, Director of Emergency Management and completed the work to earn Basic CPR certification. Students learned about blood-borne pathogens and how to clean up and dispose of this kind of waste. Mrs. Peeples challenged students to find the AED machines in their school and public buildings while she taught them how to set up and administer the device to save a life. Students learned how to render aid from bleeding to snakebites and ended by learning the basics of CPR. Students practiced administering CPR to infants, youth, and adults. While completing the practicums, students commented that they had no idea how much work it was to do compressions! Something new since my last CPR was the need to place an unconscious patient in the recovery position. CPR is a great skill to have, but you hope you never have to use it. This lifesaving training is one more step in each Jr. Leader’s quest to step up and make a difference in their community.
To learn more about saving lives and making a difference, the afternoon was spent discussing issues impacting teens and young adults in our community with Nicole Smith and Charlotte Johnson from the New Life Center. As part of the Center’s Youth and Adolescent Services, the center works to educate 13 – 17-year-olds on the behavior patterns that may put them at risk for substance use. Peer pressure is one of the most powerful forces teens face; having the tools to make informed decisions is one way to combat the pressure. The conversation included how to get help for someone who may be addicted or demonstrating risky behavior. To better understand how a person’s judgment is impacted while under the influence, Mrs. Smith and Ms. Johnson conducted simulations where students were asked to complete tasks using simulation goggles. This simulation created an awareness of things often considered “no big deal.” Students completed the day with a greater sense of the impact illegal or illicit substances have on an individual and the confidence that they have the skills to get them the appropriate help. If you or someone you are concerned about is struggling with addiction or if you want to learn more about the services the New Life Center provides, please reach out to the staff at https://newlifecenteradc.org/.
The Hampton County 4-H Jr. Leadership program wishes to thank Rev. Asbury Lawton and Lawtonville Baptist Church for their support of the program.
Sponsors for this month’s session were Clemson Extension, SC Department of Workforce, The Station, Inc., and HCCAR. The Hampton County 4-H Jr. Leadership program is designed to teach tenth and eleventh-grade students life and career skills while providing opportunities for the students to learn about careers locally. The program creates a network for students to explore internships and future employment possibilities. To participate in the program, students must apply and have a written recommendation from their school administration. Each candidate application is reviewed by a committee of local professionals on an advisory committee. Once accepted, students must agree to attend monthly meetings and workshops from August to May. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year will be available in May. Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. For more information about the Hampton County 4-H Jr. Leadership Program or Hampton County 4-H, please contact Dawn Stuckey at dstucke@clemson.edu.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
