|
|
Kentucky Joe Endorses Youth “Survivor” Video
By
Aimee Nielson
 WILLIAMSTOWN,
Ky., (Sept. 19, 2007) – Kentucky’s own Rodger Bingham, aka
“Kentucky Joe,” is most famous for the time he spent on the
popular CBS reality series “Survivor.” More recently he took
part in another survivor project, but this time he had no chance
of being voted off.
Grant County 4-H’ers asked Bingham to endorse their new
student-produced video called “Surviving 4-H.” The video depicts
how 4-H gives youth survival skills for life.
Bingham was raised, and still lives, in Grant County. He said he
was active in 4-H during his youth and has always supported the
organization.
“4H is a great organization; I think it develops character among
the youth,” he said. “It develops certain work habits, it
develops leadership and we can instill that in the youth of our
state. 4-H does that, and does a very good job of it.”
 Video
producers and 4-H members Anthony Sarcione and John Siedenberg
said the survivor-themed video was funded by a Science,
Engineering and Technology grant through the Young Professional
Organization at Williamstown High School. The school’s principal
said the project gave the students real-world experience.
“Oftentimes in school, we have bookwork, and then we go out into
the world and have jobs and things,” Bob Elliott said. “This is
a good connection between school, their jobs and careers. It
gives them some hands-on experience.”
The video was entirely student-produced. Sarcione filmed and
directed the actors, and Siedenberg acted and also helped edit
the final project.
“The themes that 4-H teaches are really good for real-life
situations,” Siedenberg said. “It teaches you to be a better
citizen and a better person all around.”
When it came to asking someone for an endorsement, Siedenberg
and Sarcione agreed Bingham was the best person for the job.
They said he basically is a celebrity in Grant County and around
Kentucky, and most everyone recognizes him.
Sarcione said they initially thought of asking Bingham to host
the show but decided he would probably be too busy to be there
as much as would be necessary. They decided, instead, to ask
Joyce Doyle, Grant County extension agent for 4-H youth
development to host.
“Mrs. Doyle is funny too, so she worked really well,” he said.
“Since Mrs. Doyle is the leader for 4-H in Grant County, it was
a good idea to see her as part of the show,” Siedenberg added.
Doyle was very supportive of the students’ efforts and believed
they made very good use of the grant money. She said she sees a
potential for the video to be a tool not only for Grant County
4-H, but also for 4-H statewide.
“It’s going to be a good thing for us to show other people about
joining 4-H … and it’s all about teamwork. And that’s what 4-H
is all about, because in 4-H our motto is ‘learn by doing,’” she
said.
Interestingly before “Survivor,” Bingham taught industrial arts
in Grant County, and Doyle was his principal. Bingham returned
to teaching after his reality-show stint; however, he later
retired from teaching to become Kentucky’s agricultural
marketing spokesman under Kentucky Agricultural Commissioner
Richie Farmer.
Sarcione and Siedenberg plan to visit other 4-H clubs and
schools in the state to talk about how they produced the video.
They said they won’t approach it as an instructional lecture,
but more of a “this is what we learned, and we’d be glad to help
you through it.” |
Contact: Joyce Doyle, 859-824-3355
|
|
The UK College
of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across
the commonwealth with teaching, research and extension
to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
Questions/Comments,
e-mail the
webmaster
Copyright © 2001-2006 University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture,
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service |
News Home
Other Headlines This Week
More
News
Atom (RSS) Now Available
for those
using news aggregation programs
College News
|
