Visitors to West Virginia’s State Capitol on Friday will witness hundreds of the state’s 4-H’ers as they begin a new chapter in their lives. For many who attend West Virginia University and WVU Extension’s education-filled Day at the Legislature in Charleston, it’s the first time to see their legislature in action.

“For many of our 4-H youth and adult volunteers, this is their first time seeing the Capitol,” said Steve Bonanno, interim director of WVU Extension Service. “We want to provide them with an opportunity to see how decisions are made in their state and to see what higher education has to offer them.”

More than 50 programs will exhibit in the Capitol’s upper and lower rotundas beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 22. The event lasts until approximately 1:30 p.m.

West Virginia 4-H’ers, Master Gardeners, Community Educational Outreach Service members, and Extension volunteers from across the state will attend the event.

In addition, nearly 100 youth from across the state will observe the legislative process as part of their curriculum in a three-day WVU Extension 4-H Civic Engagement Forum, held in conjunction with the Day at the Legislature.

Bonanno will kick-off the event at the W.Va. Culture Center Auditorium at 9 a.m. Champion West Virginia storyteller and musician Adam Booth will tell stories and talk about turning a passion for the arts into a career. WVU President Jim Clements will discuss how individuals’ stories often begin at WVU.

Interested in planning for college? WVU recruiters and the West Virginia Treasurer’s Office will have application and funding information.

Visitors will have a second opportunity to hear Booth tell tales in the Capitol’s Lower Rotunda from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

Other exhibitors include WVU Extended Learning’s on-line and off-campus programs; WVU Jackson’s Mill; the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources; and Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.

Attendees can join the conversation on social media; use hash tags #WVUDay, #ConnectWVU, and #4Hforum.

WVU’s Day at the Legislature isn’t the only way West Virginians can access WVU’s resources. WVU Extension Service has offices in all 55 West Virginia counties.

For more information about WVU & WVU Extension’s Day at the Legislature, please visit www.ext.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

cw/3/18/13

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CONTACT: Cassie Waugh
cassie.waugh@mail.wvu.edu; office: 304-293-8735; cell: 304-376-1829