[Artemisia] another question.. different topic

[LadyPDC at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/2/2006 8:14:57 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,  
mooncat at in-tch.com writes:

We only  have champions if people compete.  It's been my understanding (and  I
could be wrong) that Youth Champion (in the A&S) is only awarded when  people
who fit the criteria (i.e., who are youth) actually  compete....
--Maire, who didn't have a boring  day...





Marie is correct in this.  We have had several Kingdom Youth  A&s Champions, 
but only in years when there were youth competing.  One  year the champion 
sheared the sheep, carded the wool, spun the wool, died the  spun wool in two 
different colors, then wove the wool into a beautiful scarf  which she entered.  
Another year (in which there were three different youth  entries) the winner 
planted her own herbs, grew them to maturity, harvested them  and processed 
them using three different methods and created a balm based on a  period recipe.  
The first entrant was 13 at the time and the second was 8  at the time.  They 
both also submitted documentation that would have  competed well with most 
adult entries.  
 
But most years there are no youth entries at all.  The kingdom  cant award a 
youth champion when there are no entrants.
 
Yes, the youth entries usually have some adult "guidance" but that  doesn't 
take much, just a pointer in the right direction.  No more than any  A&S 
minister would give to any adult competitor.  I believe that the  lack of youth 
champions is due more to a lack of knowledge that it is available  and a lack of 
encouragement than to any other factor.  
 
We have had entrants as young as 4 (and he was excited just to get  an 
honorable mention) and as old as the maximum age of 18.  So, ministers  and parents 
and others, get out there and find those potential candidates.   You will not 
believe the inner "push" it gives to see them working on their  projects, 
whether or not the project wins anything.  Many of us have found  that the 
enthusiasm of the child translates over to us and we find ourselves  finding joy in 
the arts once again  

Lady Constance de la Rose
Barony of Loch Salann
Kingdom of  Artemisia