All of Sandy’s former education has helped in her profession of physical therapy but she gives a lot of credit to her involvement in the 4-H Club Public Speaking project. In 1973 as a 14 year-old freshman she wrote a speech on her community, Eagleville, and won in her division on the local, county, district and state. Also in 1975 she was a state winner in another division and was a delegate to the National 4-H Congress in Chicago.

Finding a copy of this speech and reading it, I wanted to share how Eagleville looked to a 14 year old in 1973.

The following is the" Tribute to Eagleville" written by Sandy Shelton.

Good evening, parents, leaders, and fellow 4-Hers. Tonight I am offering a free trip to a place you only dream about! My magic carpet is waiting outside. Anyone wanting to go please come aboard!

The destination is a wonderful community, Eagleville, city limit population, approximately 500. This town has only 15 essential businesses and an excellent 12 grade school. All of these businesses are small and on the main street which is on the state highway that runs right through the middle of the community.

Now I can hear your thoughts, why does she think I would want to go to a small town like that? Well, the best is yet to come. It’s not the town; it’s the people in the community, and the closeness of each other. Everyone knows everyone and cares for each other, sharing joy and sorrow with all. When someone is ill or has bad luck, everyone helps.

You might have guessed by now that this is my town, Eagleville, the community is where I live and the people are my neighbors and friends. Nothing has ever happened here to make the history books, but let me take a minute to tell you some of the involvements of my town. Let’s go back a few years. Back to when the Baptist church was torn down and a new one built. The old building was over 100 years old and was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Also, the forefathers of our community worshiped at the church.

Generations down still worshiped there and had memories of the old landmark, but they knew it was time to look to the present and the future. Although sadness was with them, the old building was torn down and a beautiful new one built. After completion the community gathered with joy and dedicated the new church.

There are four churches of four different denominations in our community. But all gather together for many different occasions. When there is a wedding most of the people attend sharing the same happiness. When a baby is born, shouts of congratulations echo. When there is sickness, all hearts are sorrowful. At this time of sickness, help and friends are next to doctors and nurses. So in our wonderful community, people attend special prayer services for critically ill neighbors or friends of neighbors. They help care for children of sick friends and also help with the chores around the house or farm. A very real example of this was about 2 years ago, when my little sister, Janet, suddenly became critically ill. She was rushed to a local hospital and from there to Vanderbilt, where she lay unconscious for 18 days. The doctors said it would take a miracle for her to live. This was when I first realized what a wonderful community I lived in. The whole community was concerned and they all helped in some way. Caring for us, helping with transportation, holding prayer services, offering to sit by Janet’s bedside, and many other ways. The miracle happened, Janet got better and came home. Neighbors came to sit with her, brought food and all rejoiced over her recovery. Then last year, another neighbor’s daughter became very ill. The same concern was shared for them. The Lions Club and other neighbors cut their tobacco and put it in the barn. Remember, this was not a paying job, but a wonderful community helping a neighbor.

Still our town marches on. Not only with sickness, but with losses or bad luck. Just before Christmas a family of 5 lost everything they had when their house burnt. The community stood high again helping with clothes, money and other useful items.

Now don’t think everything in this town is sad, its far from it. People get upset with losses of ball games or elections. They constantly discuss highway 99 between my community and the neighboring town. If you’ve ever driven over it after it has rained. Well, that says enough for that.

But, oh, the good times! People come together for Lions Clubs, Horse Shows, ice cream suppers, women-less fashion shows. Oh yes, the men dressed up as women. What a laugh that was! Then there are always church parties, birthday and slumber parties and wow…. New Year’s Eve Parties! Now there’s something to remember. There are also ballgames and yes—we have good-looking boys in our town.

I could go on for hours telling you about my community and why I am so proud of it. But this may sound dull to people who live in cities or large towns where you sit around the house all day, not even knowing who lives on the same street.

For me, I wouldn’t trade communities with anyone. Yes, I am proud of my community. You see, the people in our community are firm believers in the 4-H club pledge and motto. Pledging our whole self to making a better community and country. And our community leaders do try to make the best better.

I was even prouder of my community in December at the 4-H Achievement Banquet when my Senior Club received the Community Service Award and $25.00. I helped with the projects that earned this award. Some of these were: raking leaves for elder people for no charge, putting up a Christmas tree in City Hall, collecting for the Heart Fund and many more. Yes, even the teenagers work to make this a better town to live in. By being dedicated 4-Hers we have learned the importance of leadership and citizenship.

Along with our 4-H ideas, our town has adopted an old saying, "A task worth doing, and friends work having, make life worth living".

So if you are proud of your community, please stay in your seat but support your town and neighbors. Others, if you feel something is lacking in your community, come on, take a seat on my magic carpet. Destinations –the best community ever!