Stacy Kotula's graduation photo featured her quilt in the background

(Editor's note: The following is the text of a speech by Stacy Kotula regarding her experiences with the 4-H quilting program.)
"I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health for better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world."
The 4-H pledge defines a strong educational program within Wood County. Throughout my nine years in 4-H, donating my handmade quilts has been the most enriching experience. Like a quilt, my life is made up of many blocks stitched together. Included in one of my blocks is president of Dowling Stitch, Stir, and Stock 4-H Club; member of the 4-H Honor Court; Junior Fair Board member; and Spirit of Leadership recipient.
As a senior at Eastwood High School, another block is formed from president of Student Council; member of National Honor Society; and November Student of the Month. My volleyball block comes from many years of design and is made from captain of the varsity team; first-team District 7 and SLL; and selected as All-Wood County Volleyball Team Player.
Each year 4-H members and their mentors, ranging in age from 10 to 70, crowd the basement of the 4-H office to sew quilts for a certain charity. In the past three years that I have been involved in the Quilt Club, the Cocoon Shelter and the GRADS program have been the lucky recipients of our work.
One cold wintry morning in January, my mother and I gathered all of our sewing necessities together and with a packed car headed for a day of quilting.
Before receiving instructions, Jenny (Morlock) and Donna described GRADS, the organization to which our quilts would be donated. This program encourages pregnant teens to graduate from high school. 

After carefully reading the directions, the rail fence quilt pattern seemed simple, and I began cutting the flannel material that I had purchased earlier into two and one half inch strips. When piecing the blocks, I said to my mom, "This quilt is coming together quickly. Let's make more than one."
My determination and ambition over came my exhaustion, and I continued to sew quilt pieces together until that evening when I had enough blocks to make six quilts. The quilts were presented at the 4-H Style review and then displayed at the week-long Wood County Fair.
Later that month, a banquet was held to present the GRADS program with the numerous quilts that had been hand-crafted by 4-H members. As I was introduced to a young pregnant teen, I was proud to know that her baby would be able to cuddle in my flannel quilt.
Through this experience, I was able to provide a precious gift that would comfort both the newborns and their mothers.
Through your support of Wood County 4-H, this enriching program has provided me with lifelong friendships, leadership skills, the ability to do laundry, and the opportunity to give back to our community.
As I head off to college in the fall, I know my sewing machine and my excitement of quilting will inspire others to give back to the community.
My life, like a quilt, has 4-H as its center block.