Youth Classes

Carolyn Schaffer wrote:

>	"YOUTH DIVISION"
>   Exhibition privileges in the Youth Division are limited to persons undesr
>19 years of age. Classes should be provided for youth exhibitors in all
>divisions. These exhibitors may enter eiether the Youth Division or the regular
>Horticultural Division, but never in both at the same show. Youth Divisions
>with many entries may be subdivided into classes by age, and all such 
>entries are eligible for "best specimen of show" award.

First, I would like to expand this discussion to the Design Division. (As
I've said before, I feel the Design Division is often "forgotten".)  ISM has
a VERY talented youth member in Andy Wheeler (in design as well as in
hybridizing).  Several years ago, the question arose whether Andy could
enter both the youth and the "unspecified age" classes of our Design
Division.  Therefore, we submitted a proposed schedule which clearly
specified that a youth could enter "adult" as well as youth classes in the
Design Division.  The schedule was approved.  I cheered this decision
because, speaking personally, I love to show with Andy.  (Andy's 8 year old
cousin, Casey, also shows talent and has entered both youth and "adult"
classes.)

I question the reason of the Horticultural Division's limitation.  If a
youth member is capable of competing, why shouldn't s/he be able to enter
any or all classes?  I'm not suggesting elimination of youth classes and
their special status, just the forced choice of one or the other.  Let these
kids achieve as often as possible.

(Did you guess that I got a soapbox for Xmas?)

Kathy Marble
Harvard, MA
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