This year offered two Practice Contests, one each in Kerrville and Centerville, which served as training grounds for youth and adult leaders alike. These contests are abbreviated versions of a typical contest that give insight into the operation and set up of a contest. In addition, the official answers and explanations to each contest event are provided immediately following an activity. These are not only explained but discussed with all participants encouraged to ask questions. Look for Practice Contests for the coming year on November 23rd in Grayson County and January 18th in Brazos County.
A special WHEP session is also scheduled during the 4-H Teen Retreat at the Texas 4-H Center on January 10-12.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo WHEP Contest was presented in fair weather this year, which is always a 50/50 chance in coastal Texas March. The contest will take place again in 2014 on March 8th.
This year's State WHEP Contest was held at the Texas 4-H Office in College Station utilizing the Urban section of the manual and testing the knowledge of the participants' urban wildlife management skills. The 2014 State Contest is scheduled for June 14-15 in Brazos County.
The results of the 2013 contest are as follows (see complete participant results on the WHEP webpage):
Junior Division
1st Individual - Reid Aschenbeck, Washington County
2nd Individual - Cade Weiss, Washington County
3rd Individual - Logan Schwartz, Washington County
1st Team - Washington County
Intermediate Division
1st Individual - Hayden Mathews, Comal County
2nd Individual - Davis Mathews, Comal County
3rd Individual - Deidra Davis, Comal County
1st Team - Comal County
2nd Team - Denton County
3rd Team - Washington County
Senior Division
1st Individual - Reagan Ashley, Cameron County
2nd Individual - D.J. Franklin, Waller County
3rd Individual - Catherin Franklin, Waller County
1st Team - Waller County
2nd Team - Cameron County
3rd Team - Washington County
The National WHEP Invitational is attended by the top placing Senior team from each state. The Waller County Team (pictured above) of Coach Harvey Laas, Catherin Franklin, D.J. Franklin, Joseph Franklin, and Sam Franklin, represented Texas 4-H in the 2013 Invitational in Indiana. This team honored Texas 4-H by bringing home 2nd Place Overall!
