Smile

What makes Bekah Vanderpool smile? “Seeing all the kids have fun at the things we organize,” said the 16-year-old, a Carmel High School junior and president of Hamilton County 4-H Junior Leaders. She headed up Junior Leaders’ annual Halloween Carnival, Haunted House and Hayride on Tuesday night at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville. Bekah organized all of the kids’ games and helped with the candy for the event, which attracted more than 500 families, a record attendance, according to Lisa Hanni, Purdue Extension Hamilton County program assistant. Bekah is the daughter of Charlie and Andrea Vanderpool and is heading into her ninth year of 4-H. Bekah dressed in costume as an M&M candy at the Halloween party. Why 4-H? “My grandma was an Extension Leader for one of the counties in Indiana. So it’s kind of like a family thing we’ve done. All of my sisters are doing it (4-H).” She joined Carmel 4 C’s 4-H Club before getting involved with Junior Leaders, which is her biggest involvement in the 4-H program. During the Fair, she shows 4-H Arts and Crafts and Sewing, the latter of which is her favorite project. Favorite food at Fair? “Elephant ears.” Favorite activity at Tuesday’s Halloween party. “Cake walk.” What she likes most about Junior Leaders? “I have a lot of fun.” Enrollment is now open to join Hamilton County 4-H for the 2024 year, now through Jan. 15, with the theme, “Let’s Have S’More Fun.” Enroll in 4-H and earn a s’more kit. Stop by the 4-H Office in the Exhibition Center at the 4-H Fairgrounds 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Enroll online at https://in.4Honline.com. Also, order poinsettias now through Nov. 14 from any Hamilton County Junior Leader at $10 per 6-inch pot with pickup in early December..