Gaujugendvertreterin website address 2004

The past year and a half have been very busy for all of us. A couple of new events have or will be taking place this year and next year. It is good to see that we are planning new events for our youth to be a part of. Even though the children will be in attendance, many events are really geared toward the adults. And it is makes me so excited when I hear that our young adults (teenagers) are being included in the planning stages of events, on committees, or teaching our younger dancers. It was really nice to see our youth attend the Gau Delegates meeting too! A couple were there as observers and another young man was there as the 2. Vorplattler from his Verein! At the delegates meeting a round table discussion took place. It was a very successful work session for all of the delegates. I had asked two of our youth who participated in it what they thought of it. They really liked it because they had the chance to express their feelings on the topic their group was assigned. I had also asked if they would like to see something like this for the teenagers maybe at a future Gaufest. They were in favor of it. Not sure if it will take place at the 20. Gaufest in Buffalo, but, if not there I will work with the next host Verein Edelweiss Reading in securing some time for a youth round table discussion.

On March 6, 2004 Gemütlichen Enzianer hosted the first Mid-Atlantic Jugend Einzelplatteln. It was a very successful and fun event for the children who participated. Children from ages 4 - 17 all danced their hearts out for the judges, their parents, their own Verein, and showed a sense of pride in their own accomplishments.

The Wanderfest on April 17th, hosted by Alpen Schuhplattler u. T.V. D’Pittsburgher was also an event for kids to (adults too) present their dancing talents. The Wanderfest was created to foster friendships for both the children and adults within a small venue. At the Presidents meeting Ken Ott proposed to make a few changes to the Wanderfest in hope to create even more interaction among the children and the adults.

This past year he had the opportunity to go to the Bezirks Heimatfest hosted by Edelweiss Detroit and saw the workshops for the children and adults as well as the Jugend Einzelplatteln. He proposed that the Wanderfest incorporate these events at the next Wanderfest. After some discussion it was decided to change the 2005 Wanderfest format to workshops, Jugend Einzelplatteln, and Ehrentanze. I am for one looking forward to planning this portion of the Wanderfest with our next host Verein Almrausch Schuhplattler, Altoona, Pennsylvania.

So, by next April 2005 there will be four different events in which our youth can participate in a Jugend Einzelplatteln besides at a Gaufest. They are the Bezirks Heimatfest (Midwest and Western States), Mid-Atlantic Jugend Einzelplatteln (Mid-Atlantic States), and the Jugendfest (Western New York and Ontario, Canada) and the Wanderfest (Vereine from Michigan, Ohio, Western New York, and Pennsylvania). All of these events help keep the interest in keeping our traditions and make long lasting friendships. They are also a great way to prepare for any Gaufest that would be taking place.

Speaking of which, I really hope to see a lot of our youth at the 20. Gaufest to be hosted by S.G.T.V. Edelweiss, Buffalo in July 2005! We are really looking forward to hosting this event not only for the adults, but for our youth as well. Don’t forget you can e-mail me with any concerns you may have or help with your children’s groups. I am always willing to help in any way that I can.

Please remember to help make this site successful by submitting your youth events to me. These events can be written by our youth. They do not have to be written by the adults. Pictures make your article come to life! So please submit pictures too. Also I would like to highlight other events that our youth are involved in and who also should be given kudos. These do not have to be Schuhplattler related. You are all involved in other things like, hockey, baseball, the arts, or other community services - let’s read about it!

My e-mail address is: Gaujugendvertreterin@yahoo.com