San Antonio, Texas (January 13, 2024) – Rebecca McDade, a senior at Excelsior Springs High School and a young fashionista, recently competed in the National 4-H competition in San Antonio, Texas, placing fifth in the fashion purchased category.
4-H is a program that teaches adolescents how to use their heads, hearts, hands, and health to develop various life skills, including accumulating knowledge, building character, and developing a sense of responsibility.
The most known benefit of 4-H revolves around the agricultural industry. Beyond livestock and forestry education, 4-H offers youth activities, such as arts and crafts, cooking, outdoor games, and community service projects. Students can then compete to show off the skills they have obtained through the program, regionally and nationally.
Rebecca explained she has been involved with 4-H since she was 11, thanks to a family friend, Nicole Regal, who encouraged her to get involved. Ever since, she has enjoyed participating in various areas of the program, including cake decorating, fashion construction and design, and community service efforts.
“I originally started sewing things like pillowcases, and I got my first sewing machine when I was eight,” she said, “I didn’t get into sewing clothes or fashion and styling until four or five years ago when I made the first garment for myself.”
She elaborated, explaining that in addition to the 4-H program guiding her on her fashion journey, she also participated in the Excelsior Springs High School’s Home Economics classes, which helped her with her sewing knowledge. Ultimately, she credits her mother, Michelle, as teaching her the majority of the skills she uses today, leading her to a National Competition within the 4-H program.
As 4-H is a community-based organization with parent volunteers, Rebecca noted that her family has not only been supportive but volunteered their time within the program, aiding other area youth, including her younger sister and brother, to harness and develop skills outside of Rebecca’s success.
The road leading Rebecca to the national stage started with her fashion project winning in the senior division at the county fair. During this time, she showed off her project to the public as she was awarded first place with her purchased outfit and second place with her constructed garment.
Since she placed first with her purchased garment, Rebecca was awarded the opportunity to show off her design skills at the 4-H state competition.
During the state competition, contestants were judged on their ability to explain their outfit choices, including the fabric, care instructions, and overall design. The interview also included a runway walk to present the outfits. Rebecca won first place in the purchased category at the state level and was chosen to represent Missouri at Nationals.
The purchase category for fashion required sticking to a budget, she explained. Rebecca had to select each piece of the outfit based on a theme. Her theme for nationals was “prom on a budget,” and she put together a formal prom look for under $60. Her final outfit cost $39, well under budget.
During the competition, similar to the state competition, her purchased masterpiece underwent evaluation as she was asked about her knowledge of the items selected, the care, and the color patterns she utilized.
During the interview portion at nationals, they also “judge you on your ability to speak clearly and if you present your ideas efficiently. When it comes to the modeling portion, they judge you on posture and how confident you present yourself,” she said.
Rebecca ended the season placing fifth at nationals out of 20 state competitors. She said that 4-H has challenged her through her journey but has helped her gain confidence in public speaking, boosted her self-confidence, and taught her how to be an effective leader.
Through 4-H, Rebecca has gained confidence in herself, and the skills she’s acquired have aided her as she has achieved personal goals. 4-H has encouraged her to believe in her abilities both in fashion and cake decorating.
In the future, Rebecca plans on continuing her pursuits by attending Ozark Technical College in Springfield, Missouri, to earn a degree in culinary arts specializing in baking.
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