Nyeli Arita and Virginia Williams, both 14 years old, took first place in re-fashion and everyday living categories, respectively, at the Big Time in District 9 Fashion Show. The fashion show was held in Conroe, Texas, earlier this year. The show recognizes 4-H members who have completed a Clothing and Textiles project and allows them to exhibit skills they mastered.

Virginia and Nyeli are members of the North Bryan New Birth 4-H Club in Bryan, Texas. Virginia has been sewing since she was six, and Nyeli is entering her second year of 4-H. This year both are Fashion Ambassadors for Brazos County and will present workshops for youth interested in creating fashion wear.

Benefits of being a fashion ambassador include:

  • Serving a statewide 4-H leadership role and providing input on the future of the 4-H project.
  • Meeting and interacting with fashion and interior design professionals in higher education and the fashion industry.
  • Playing an essential role in the 4-H Fashion & Interior Design project at the county, district, and state levels.
  • Gaining a great understanding of the fashion and interior design industry.
  • Learning more about careers related to the fashion and interior design industry.

Longtime Cooperative Extension volunteer and the 2022 Salute to Excellence Award winner, Tchlendra “Lynn” Williams, guides these ladies.

Their wins are quite an accomplishment because District 9 is the largest in Texas and has more than 5,500 4-H members in southeast Texas and 18 counties. (Brazos, Harris, Grimes, Walker, Madison, Montgomery, Hardin, Chambers, Jefferson, Orange, Galveston, Waller, Fort Bend, Burleson, Walker, San Jacinto, and Lee County). Texas 4-H offers a wide range of clothing and textile projects with the following objectives: knowledge of fibers and fabrics, wardrobe selection, clothing construction, comparison shopping, fashion interpretation, understanding of style, good grooming, poise in front of others, and personal presentation skills.

Please contact your local extension agent for 4-H Youth Development or call (936) 261-5148 if you are interested in learning more about volunteering or participation.

Hendrix Broussard
Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
hjbroussard@pvamu.edu
(979) 823-0129