March 15, 2019 T he C olumbia P ress 4-H members learn to make powerful pitches Members of 4-H have been preparing speeches and prac- ticing delivery as part of a Presentations Competition challenged. Last week, they gave their pitch to parents and other judges on topics that includ- ed triathlons, cookies, dia- monds, tsunamis, rabbits, chickens, Legos, trail rides and swing dances. Those in grades four to six talked for up to 10 minutes and those in grades seven to twelve talked for 10 to 15 minutes. Members also gave im- Courtesy OSU Extension Office promptu speeches. They were Junior 4-H member Katrina Phillips demonstrates how to judged on subject matter, make Peanut Butter Cookies at 4-H Presentation night. voice, manner and appear- ance, visual clarity, and how Matthew Cano. For more information about they answered questions. Four-H is a program coor- 4-H membership or leader- Winners were: Jake O’Con- nor, Katrina Phillips, Titus dinated by Oregon State Uni- ship, call the Clatsop County Cano, Faith Jones, William versity for children in kinder- Extension Office at 503-325- Phillips, Alicia Cano, and garten through high school. 8573. News in brief New Citizens Academy forming A new Clatsop County Cit- izens Police Academy is scheduled to start in April. Residents will have an op- portunity to meet local police officers and deputies, learn about different aspects of law enforcement and find out how to volunteer. Applications are available at police departments and at the sheriff’s office. The 10-week academy is from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays beginning April 16 at various locations with an added fire- arms training on Saturday, May 18. It’s the second year the academy has been offered. The class is free; those who’d like two college credits would pay $35. For more information, call Contact: Jason Schermer- horn at 503-436-2811 Deputy graduates from parole class Clatsop County Sheriff’s Deputy Jasper Devereaux recently graduated from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Train- ing Parole and Probation Of- ficer Class. The agency operates the Or- egon Public Safety Academy, which spans more than 235 acres in Salem. The academy is nationally recognized for its innovative training pro- grams. Girls Circle goal is leader skills A group of Astoria Middle School girls have successfully completed an eight-week Girls Circle leadership program. The Girls Circle program is a strengths-based, skill-building approach aimed at creating a safe space for girls to address issues they face, build on pro- tective factors, and improve relationships in a format that is positive, interesting, and en- gaging. The program was facilitated by Teresa Crouter and Laura Parker from the Clatsop Coun- ty Juvenile Department. The goal is to enhance girls’ abilities to take full advantage of their talents, academic in- terests, future career pursuits, and potential for healthy rela- tionships. The Clatsop County Juvenile Department has partnered with Astoria Middle School for six years, offering the program to incoming sixth-graders. The program has been expanded to include Broadway Mid- dle School, Warrenton Grade School and Hilda Lahti Ele- mentary School. 5 Good with money? Help a senior Volunteers are being sought for the Oregon Money Management Program, which assists individuals in their own homes with budgeting, organizing financial pa- perwork, sorting mail and filling out applications. Clients are low-income seniors and people with disabilities and others who may be vulnerable to fraud and financial ex- ploitation. Volunteers enjoy a lot of flexibility, said Suzanne Bjaranson, community programs supervisor for the Northwest Senior and Disability Services. In as little as 2 hours per month, a volunteer can make a dif- ference in the life of a vul- nerable adult, she said. Volunteers have flexible schedules, they can take time off for vacation and travel, and can choose the day of the week and time of day to volunteer. For information, contact Julie Sobel at 503-304- 3407.