By Sara Sipe EBS CONTRIBUTOR
At just 11 years old, Ophir Middle School 6th grader Sedona Kilgore Karp already has a lot of Big Sky cred. She is an accomplished artist that can frequently be found in a classroom at BASE and Arts Council of Big Sky, she excels at design technology class taught by her favorite teacher Mr. Harder, she barrel races, helps her mom at the Big Sky Farmer’s Market, and she burst onto the skijoring scene with a 3rd place overall finish in the junior switcharoo division at the recent Best in the West Showdown here in Big Sky.
But it was at Lone Mountain Ranch, working as a junior wrangler this past summer, when she first heard about 4-H. After mentioning she was interested in learning more about rabbits, it was suggested she check out the youth program.
It’s that love of learning, animals and Montana outdoors that led her mother, Leslie Kilgore, to seek out more information about 4-H opportunities in Gallatin County.
“What’s so amazing about 4-H is they teach them lifelong skills and true responsibility. Also, I love that she’s meeting so many other kids who share her interest in animals,” Kilgore wrote in an email to EBS.
According to their website, “Head, Heart, Hands, and Health are the four Hs in 4-H, and they are the four values members work on through fun and engaging programs.” Participation and specific areas of learning are based on each member’s individual interests, with a broad menu of local programming available. Younger members are guided by adult mentors, and older youth members. There are hands-on, learn-by-doing, opportunities for everyone.
Once she joined, and the decision made to work with rabbits, things started moving quickly.
“I knew I would be able to get my rabbits from some of the other kids that were raising rabbits from last year. Then we started building them a hutch to live in outside. You can use straw, but we decided on woodchips,” Kilgore-Karp said, adding, “they are like horses—when it gets really cold, they just eat a lot and stay inside their house.”
Once the outdoor rabbit hutch was ready, she brought home Murray and Albert who made themselves right at home. In addition to bringing her rabbits to her monthly meetings at the fairgrounds for care instructions and check ups, Kilgore-Karp must tend to her rabbits each morning and evening. She was eager to share that she has received a lot of help from her mom and her mom’s boyfriend, some friends and neighbors, and her dad.
“I was especially happy that my dad made sure I was able to go and take care of the rabbits everyday while I was staying with him,” Kilgore-Karp noted.
When asked what her goals are for this year and in the future with 4-H, she indicated showing her rabbits at the fair this summer and making new friends were a top priority. While she may be the only student we’re aware of from Big Sky that attends 4-H, Kilgore-Karp recommends it for any students that are “dedicated and hard working.”
Her mom is just happy she found a good fit.
“The core values of 4-H really align with the core values I try to teach her,” Kilgore said.
The 4-H pledge said it well:
4H pledge
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.
Promesa 4H (en español)
Prometo usar mi mente para pensar con más claridad,
mi corazón para ser más leal,
mis manos para ser más servicial,
mi salud para cuidarme más,
por mi club, mi comunidad, mi país y mi mundo.
For more information about 4-H in Gallatin county, contact Montana State University extension at montana.edu/extension/gallatin/4hyouth.
Big Sky Community Spotlight is a short column that is meant to shine a light on those in Big Sky doing important work. Whether it be a profession, hobby or volunteer work, Big Sky is home to interesting people that do interesting things and as our community grows, it is important to stay connected to our neighbors and local businesses. This is more easily done if we know more about one another. We hope you enjoy getting to know your neighbors!
