Childs is starting her 19th year as a Pershing County 4-H leader.
Born and raised in Lovelock, and like many outstanding 4-H leaders, Rene Marie Gandiaga started in the Desert Dwellers 4-H club. She first became interested in 4-H when she saw how much fun her older brother had raising livestock. She also enjoyed watching her mother's involvement as a 4-H leader in Breads, Outdoor Cooking and Crocheting. Following their lead, she started participating in a variety of projects. One of the first clubs she joined was the Childcare club. She then following in her mother's footsteps and joined the Food and Nutrition club, where in over five years she made 120 meals, 80 loaves of bread, and could cook outdoors on her own. She exhibited early leadership skills and devotion when members of the Home Improvement club dropped out. Although she was the only member left, Childs still completed her project.
She continued her pattern of leadership by holding many club offices and by fulfilling many community service projects during the time she was an active 4-H member. She became a teen counselor after six years of attending the 4-H Camp at Lake Tahoe and went to Santa Clara, Calif., as part of the 4-H exchange program. She sewed 86 garments over an eight-year period in the Clothing and Sewing club. Childs exhibited her creativity by re-sewing a jacket and changing a neckline on a formal piece. She worked on these projects until she was satisfied with the results.
As a dedicated 4-H member, she gave numerous demonstrations, participated in fashion revues and was a junior leader. In 1973, her dedication earned her a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, where she modeled the coat on which she worked so diligently. This trip was the highlight of her 4-H experience.
Her diverse abilities were evident as her participation in 4-H extended successfully to the Livestock Club, where she raised beef, sheep and swine, and acted as junior leader for the swine club. Raising 13 market lambs in seven years, she naturally became the Sheep Leader as her children joined the 4-H Sheep club.
Now a genuine family tradition, her passion for 4-H and the desire to achieve were displayed as her son achieved a Grand Champion Lamb and raised the scholarship lamb for the Nevada Junior Livestock Show. Her hard work earned her the Pershing County Outstanding 4-H Leader for 1999.
Although her children are grown, she continues in 4-H leadership as secretary of the Pershing County Leaders Council and treasurer for both the Pershing County Building Board and the Pershing County Livestock Club.
As well as being a great club leader for 4-H members, Childs supports the entire Pershing County 4-H program. At Lovelock Frontier Days, she would routinely work to coordinate and serve food for the 4-H barbecue fundraiser, alongside her children. As an active member of the Lovelock community she has also served as a Girl and Boy Scout leader, was a multi-year treasurer for Project Graduation, has been continuously active in St. John the Baptist Church, was treasurer for the Racing Club and was the accounting manager at EaglePicher Filtration and Minerals for 29 years. Along with being elected to the school board, she has worked for the Pershing County School District, and most recently was elected Pershing County Recorder/Auditor.
As a member, Childs said that 4-H had helped her become a better person. As a 4-H leader, she has helped many youth become better people. Pershing County 4-H appreciates all Childs does and is very proud of her.
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