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4-H paves future goals for Brodhead grad
Blue Bernstein 1
Blue Bernstein’s first ever 4-H meeting wasn’t a full club meeting, but a ceramics project meeting instead. Over the next 10 years, ceramics skills were developed and they took on many ceramics projects, multiple of which even made it to the state fair.

BRODHEAD — Instead of in the barns and stables, Blue Bernstein’s fair projects could instead be found displayed in the exhibition hall on a typical year. 

The exhibits at the fair submitted from Bernstein aren’t judged on showmanship or bone structure, but instead by creativity and artistic value.

While Bernstein has dabbled in many 4-H project categories, arts and crafts was what always received the heaviest involvement. 

Bernstein’s involvement in 4-H started over a decade ago when they attended a ceramics meeting before even joining a club.

Not being from Green County originally, Bernstein didn’t have the same connections and involvement as other youth sometimes might. But Bernstein’s mom set out to find a way to get involved, and 4-H ended up being just that.

“We tried it out and it seemed like the right fit,” Bernstein said. 

Since attending that first ceramics meeting 10 years ago, Bernstein is now heavily involved in the 4-H club Cheese Country Clovers.

Among Bernstein’s many projects was a favorite ceramic haunted house project. It was only one of multiple projects Bernstein has taken on to be shown at the state fair.

A love of arts and crafts was cemented through 4-H and that same love is what helped Bernstein pave a future of teaching art. 

Bernstein is planning on attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in fall with a major in art education for middle and high school ages.

Their involvement in 4-H has been beneficial not only to them, but to their club as well.

“They have been a leader about showing opportunities above and beyond,” said Cheese Country Clovers Club Leader Krista Bethke. 

“When Blue stands up in front of a crowd and [they] start talking about art and projects they’re passionate about, they do an amazing job of talking and communicating about it,” Bethke said. “They do a really nice job of painting the picture so that somebody else would want to participate.”

Bernstein said that 4-H has provided the opportunity to grow in terms of leadership and confidence, as well as in creativity and skill. They see 4-H as an opportunity for anybody to find a passion in, “if you’re involved in pretty much anything outside of school.”

Their passion for Bernstein’s 4-H projects has shown through to the club and community. It has helped them develop in many ways in life, from gaining important social and personal skills to always having a creative outlet to turn to.

“It’s made life easier in a lot of different ways,” Bernstein said.