Lucile Somers, 8, of the Jayhawk 4-H club, performs in the junior dance event Saturday at the Regional 4-H Club Day. Eighteen 4-H'ers from Douglas County participated in the event at Lawrence High School. Lucile won a purple ribbon for her performance and will be able to compete at the state fair.

Henry Mitchell, 9, a member of the Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club, performs his piano solo in the junior division Saturday during the Regional 4-H Club Day. Three of the 18 4-H youth from Douglas County who participated in the event at Lawrence High School earned purple ribbons, which allows them to compete at the state fair.

On a day when 4-H looked to showcase the diverse talents of its youth, Crystal McCleary stayed busy. The 19-year-old from Kansas City, Kan., explained how DNA works, recited a famous speech by Winston Churchill and played the viola.

“In my eyes, it went well,” said the graduate of Washington High School. “It doesn’t matter to me as long as I leave with a smile on my face.”

McCleary was among about 200 4-H club members who exhibited a diverse array of skills at Lawrence High School on Saturday at the annual Regional 4-H Club Day.

4-H members from Douglas, Franklin, Johnson, Miami, Osage, Shawnee and Wyandotte counties used their time Saturday to tout their skills in everything from public speaking to dance, drama and more.

“This event is a chance for youth who excelled in their county 4-H club day to showcase their talents and skills to a broader audience,” said Emily Morehouse, Douglas County’s 4-H agent. “These youth have had time coming from their respective county club day to polish their presentations to make their best better. That is what we want our youth to strive for in 4-H.”

Winners of events in their respective counties earned the right to compete in the regional event. Johnson County 4-H agent Sarah Laib said competitors who won purple ribbons would be able to compete at the state fair.

Peggy Boyd, Wyandotte County’s 4-H agent, said club members chose the subjects in which they wanted to compete.

“They’re increasing their skills, whether it’s dance or public speaking, that at some point in your life, you’ll have a need for,” she said.

Connor Gentry, 9, a member of the Miami County club, showed off his acting skills. Donning a cowboy hat and using his own saddle as a prop, Connor recited “The Little Cowboy’s Prayer.” He said he got the acting bug when he played Santa Claus in a school play.

“It was fun. I was kind of nervous when I got on stage,” he said. Though he also practices everything from entomology to woodworking, Connor was excited to try acting.

“I’m not very shy in front of people,” he said.

Johnson County club member Melissa Gaddis, a 15-year-old from Olathe, twirled across the LHS cafeteria during a dance recital that was set to Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” Though she has been involved in 4-H since she was 8, and dancing since age 3, 4-H didn’t have a dance component until two years ago, she said. Finally being able to combine dance with 4-H makes her happy, Melissa said.

“I was very excited to move on (to regionals),” she said. “I was a little nervous this morning, but as soon as I started performing and I saw everyone smiling, I knew everything was going to be all right.”

Eighteen club members from Douglas County participated in the competition, and three of them earned purple ribbons. Lucile Somers won a purple ribbon in dance, while Addison Jones and Mesfen Oliver were recognized for public speaking.