Pizza and ATV Safety

One great thing about what I do is that it is never boring, and rarely ever the same!   This Tuesday, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with my fun and creative colleagues from the northeast part of the state at what we call Pizza Farm.  Some very creative individuals started the Pizza Farm to show third grade students the role of agriculture in the pizza they eat.  From the trees that make the cardboard box, to the wheat for the crust (by the way, I did pass a field of wheat on the way there).  The third graders arrive that morning on their school buses, some from a couple of hours away.  They go through different stations, to learn about different portions of the pizza.

My creative friend and colleague, Beth, incorporates a couple of extra stations to give the youth an idea of what 4-H is, and also incorporates physical activity for fun with dancing or jump ropes.  I am happy to be sharing ATV Safety as part of what 4-H has to offer.  The third graders seemed to soak in what we went over together.  Looking at their little faces, and knowing that another young life was recently lost in the area made them seem even more precious.  Will they go back and share the information I gave them with mom and dad?  Will they remember what we said about not getting on a 4-wheeler at a friend's house, especially without an adult training you on how to drive it, or without mom or dad's permission?  If just one has learned the importance of wearing the helmet every time, that is one precious life.

As those sweet kids finish learning about the pizza, they get to enjoy pizza, fruit, and a treat for lunch.  I enjoyed talking with some of the teachers and chaperones during lunch, and taking pictures with their classes. One wanted to get a photo with them all looking at me, since she said that is exactly what they did when she asked me to take a picture with them.  So sweet and precious.

With that, I wish you safety and smiles for you and your family.

Traci

Safety Day in Mississippi weather

It was a cool day, a dusty day,... a rainy day, a hot day.  Yes, it was all of those things within a few hours!  Talk about a bad or confusing hair day! You have to love Mississippi weather; at least there are days when you have several choices throughout the day.

The day started with thunderstorms as I made the drive to Houston, MS.   I was concerned about the rain starting since I was on the outside edge of the metal county agriculture building.  My colleague assured me not to worry, that it would pass.  They had delivered a nice, large ATV for me to use as a visual aid. It was just a little wet with the rain that had started, but it would make a great point of reference when talking to the 5th graders. 

I went over my points of ATV Safety, and how I came about promoting it as Mrs. Mississippi International.  I knew from talking to groups prior, and from observations, that riding the wrong size ATV is one major mistake made by many.  I use the demonstration that I could drive their bus back to their school, and I can barely reach the brakes, and barely reach the steering wheel; but, hey, I can drive it!  I ask them to stretch out their arms as far as they could and stretch out one leg as if the brake pedal is far away.  This is what happens when a young child gets on an adult or teen sized ATV.  Yes, they can turn the engine on; yes, they can use the throttle. Hopefully, they can stop it at some point.  However, they are not equipped physically or mentally to operate a larger ATV.  Steering, turning to avoid obstacles, and using the brakes are not easy for a child when the ATV is too large.  I think and hope the point came across, and that it is remembered the next time they are tempted to hop on an ATV that is not their size.

I enjoyed sharing the other tips on my list.  Of course, helmet use was a top priority as well.  It was especially nice to have youth members of the Pilot International Club there; they are called Anchors as youth until they are old enough to become Pilot members.  They have brain safety and education as the main focus of the group.  I turned parts of the education over to them to share with some of the 5th graders.  I reminded the teens that the elementary students looked up to the them and respect their opinion.  The two teen boys handled the task very well, and told the kids "That's not cool... (in their "cool" voice) when the elementary students would give an example of something they had done incorrectly. "It' s not cool to do stunts...you will get injured doing that."  Then, a female teen gives the group an example of  how doing several things wrong can turn into big trouble. I just love the way the teens are taking a lead and not waiting for adulthood to step up to the plate.

I could write more, but I will post a few of the pictures instead.

Wishing you safety and smiles,

Traci