GLASGOW — Laura Coomer has often been teased that she has green blood.
The 15-year-old was born into a family of 4-H’ers and attended her first council meeting when she was just 5 weeks old.
Her mom, Rita Coomer, was president of the 4-H council when Laura was born, so some of her first activities in life were 4-H functions. Her mother told of Laura crawling around under the table during meetings. She also had three siblings who were teenagers when she was a baby and they were all very in-volved with 4-H.
Laura has taken many 4-H classes over the years, including sewing, gardening and jewelry making, but she said her top three programs are food, scrapbooking and health and fitness.
Asked which was her all-time favorite, there was no hesitation.
“Scrapbooking – I get to capture my memories and have them displayed and it’s just really special to have them. Because if I didn’t ... I could forget them, Laura said. “There are just special times that I have with friends and new experiences I get to keep for a lifetime.”
She began scrapbooking about five years ago when she took classes at Scrapbook Village. Two years ago, she won grand champion at the Kentucky State Fair when she entered two pages under the theme, “It’s All in the Family.”
Laura said she has enjoyed teaching students how to scrapbook at 4-H camp, where they learned how to make pages and were excited about starting their own scrapbooks.
Last year, she approached Paula Tarry, Barren County Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development, about starting a health and fitness program because “I’ve noticed that obesity is really high in America and I wanted to start doing something about it. I needed to get in better shape, so I came up with the idea.”
She worked with Kathy Gill, a nutrition specialist at T.J. Samson Community Hospital, who taught her about fats, carbs and counting calories. She learned the difference between healthy and non-healthy foods and that it’s OK to splurge every now and then as long as good eating habits are maintained.
Laura also became involved with Cathy Botts at Extreme Fitness for Women and participated in a 12-week exercise program.
Laura also knows her way around a kitchen thanks to 4-H. She started in the food program when she was about 9 years old.
The first year, she made oatmeal cookies and learned how to measure ingredients. Each progressive section taught more advanced concepts.
“They give you the recipes and you follow them and sometimes you make cookies, brownies or a cake,” she said. “You take it to the county fair and get judged and then (if you win) take it to the state fair.”
This year, Laura won reserve champion and class champion at the state fair for her apricot-filled tea ring, which she said takes about three hours to make.
Excelling in 4-H has helped Laura work toward her gold award at the senior level, which may mean there’s a scholarship in her future.
She said the different projects have been fun, but 4-H is so much more than that.
“Most people think of 4-H as all about cows or livestock and it’s not,” Laura said. “There are so many opportunities to meet a lot of new people. I’ve made some of my very best friends through 4-H.”
Local News
4-H helping shape Coomer’s life
- Local News
-
-
UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: Fatal wreck on Burkesville Road
A Summer Shade man was identified as the driver in a fatal crash on Burkesville Road early Saturday morning.
-
Jail staff challenges Ober’s report
A long list of allegations made by a private investigator against the Barren County Detention Center is being challenged by a majority of the jail employees, who say they have not witnessed anything illicit.
-
BBBS honors volunteers Bell, Click
There’s no doubt about it. Tamara Click and Price Bell love spending time with their “little sister and little brother.”
-
Magistrates defend decision
Almost a month after a private investigator presented his summary report about the Barren County Detention Center and nearly five months since the initial vote for an investigation, the members of the Barren County Fiscal Court are standing by their decisions.
-
Park, students form partnership
Barren County Middle School and officials from Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP) began a partnership in 2009 through a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, according to a district news release.
-
Cemetery dedication planned Sunday
On Sunday, a dedication ceremony culminating efforts of several concerned citizens who restored the cemetery will take place at 2 p.m. at the D.F. West Cemetery on Ky. 70 near Hiseville.
-
No swimming allowed at lake for Memorial Day
Don’t visit Barren River Lake this Memorial Day weekend and expect to go swimming.
- 2:10 AFTERNOON UPDATE: Hart Co. man arrested for trafficking
- 9:03 a.m. Morning Update: Glasgow firefighters and Barren-Metcalfe EMS respond to wreck with injuries
-
Late Night Update: Investigation continues regarding injured teen
Very little is known about the circumstances surrounding a 15-year-old Barren County boy who was found seriously injured and lying in a ditch alongside his bicycle on Dripping Springs Road late Monday night.
- More Local News Headlines
-
UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: Fatal wreck on Burkesville Road
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
