Isabella “Belle” Rossette is 11 years old, and a proud member of the Dixieland 4-H Club. She is currently in the 6th grade, and recently completed her second year of 4-H.
Belle has a younger brother, Noah, who is also a member of the Dixieland 4-H Club, making 4-H a special family experience for both of them.
After completing her first year of 4-H, Belle was eager to begin her second year and continue building on the skills she had developed. Throughout her second year, Belle continued expanding her skills and taking on new responsibilities.
One of the highlights of her year was serving as the chairperson for a community service event, Wreaths Across America. The experience was especially meaningful because Belle was able to participate alongside her brother and cousins, and place a wreath on the headstone of her great-grandfather. It was a special moment that allowed Belle to combine her love of service with honoring a member of her family.
Belle continued to grow in her other projects as well. She learned more about raising and showing pigs, continued working with her dog, AJ, and expanded her cooking skills by learning to make bread and a variety of other recipes. This year also brought two new projects for Belle: Sewing and Gardening.
Through her Sewing project, Belle learned how to make a pair of pajama pants, developing new skills and gaining confidence in her ability to create something from scratch.
She also discovered a new passion through her Gardening project — succulents. Belle quickly became hooked, and spent the year learning about different types of succulents and how to care for them. By the end of the year, she was already thinking about what she could grow and enter at the fair the following year.
Belle had another successful year showing at both the Chowchilla and Madera Fairs. She showed a pig at both fairs and brought AJ to the Madera Fair for their second year competing together.
Belle and AJ had another fantastic show, earning 1st place in Junior Showmanship and 1st place in Junior Dog Obedience. Belle also placed 6th in Junior Showmanship with her pig, Chewbacon, at the Madera Fair.
Her new love of gardening also made its way to the fair. Belle entered nine succulents and earned placements on six of them. Rather than being satisfied with what she accomplished, Belle was already thinking ahead and making plans for what she could do even better next year.
One of the most exciting parts of Belle’s second year was seeing her begin to step into a leadership role. After gaining experience in the Swine project herself, Belle decided she wanted to give back by becoming a Junior Leader in the project. She is excited for the opportunity to help younger members learn and develop their own skills while continuing to grow as a leader herself.
Belle is looking forward to another year of 4-H and is excited to continue building on the skills she has developed. She loves trying new things, learning new skills, and finding new ways to challenge herself. With her curiosity, determination, and willingness to take on new responsibilities, she is excited to see where her 4-H journey takes her next.
When Belle isn’t busy with her 4-H projects, she keeps just as busy outside the club. She plays softball, participates in her school’s play, and recently joined her school choir. She also joined a local swimming club, where she is learning the sport of water polo.
Whether she’s working with animals, growing succulents, creating something new, performing on stage, playing softball, or helping others, Belle continues to find ways to learn, grow, and make the most of every opportunity.