BLU! by Jamie Beckstrand

I went to BLU on February 12th to the 13th. I had a lot of fun and I met a lot of new people. We talked about Share, Save, Spend and how you should share you money with organizations like 4-H and the animal shelters and cancer societies, but you should also save your money for when you really need it. You should also monitor what you buy.

Then we also talked about an “Elevator Speech”, which is what you would say when you run into someone or you want to ask someone to donate money 4-H. In your elevator speech you should include your name, club, county, why you need money, and other details like what 4-H is if they don’t already know.

We also talked about the Dollar Drive which is a state wide fundraiser where all you are asking for is $1. You can go around to your community asking for a $1 and if they would like they could donate more. Your club and region will get half of the amount you raise.

Then we talked about organization. If you are organized you will succeed and do better in life and there are many items to help make you more organized. There was an “Organization Fashion Show” where they had the chaperons go around and hold up item such as a binder, portfolio, file-folders, and they mentioned many others.

Then we had a dance and a dance off. If you were in the top 20 you would get a number card and you would go in the center and the chaperons would tap your shoulder if you got out and the last 2 people out dancing would win a half scholarship to YELLO.

I had a really fun time at BLU and I am hoping I will get to go back next year. I learned how to be more organized and how to manage my money better.