Norco woman being inducted into 4-H Hall of Fame

Miller helps 4-H’ers learn how to sew, support the community

Gloria Miller’s own children weren’t involved in 4-H, but her granddaughter who did everything did and that started her on the path that led to her becoming a member of the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame. “It’s rewarding when you work with the young people and you see how much they get out of 4-H,” Miller said. “My granddaughter went to New York with the Fashion Club, Washington., D.C, and a trip to Disney World. There is so much there for the kids if they just apply themselves.”

Miller will be inducted along with 11 fellow volunteers into the Hall of Fame at an April 29 ceremony at the LSU AgCenter Avoyelles Parish extension office in Mansura.

Miller’ is a longtime volunteer with 4-H as a sewing instructor.

Her 4-Hers have made hats for kids at Children’s Hospital, patriotic pillowcases for veterans at the VA home in Reserve as prizes at their bingo games, as well as lap quilts for veterans in wheelchairs.

“It’s rewarding when you finally get through to one of them and it clicks … and they can do it on their own,” Miller said. “It makes you feel so good.”

In 2008, she became leader of the St. Charles 4-H Fashion Club, offering at least three to four sewing workshops a month. A year later, she became a 4 H Foundation board member and later its treasurer.

She has served on the St. Charles Parish Overall Advisory Leadership Council and 4-H Advisory Council. She also was an active member of the Louisiana 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association, where she has served as treasurer and attended several VLA conferences.

A retired purchasing agent with Bunge, Miller worked there for 30 years.

Miller always enjoyed sewing.

She taught her daughters and granddaughter how to sew at a young age. She has sewn curtains, cheerleading team outfits, wedding and bridesmaid dresses, homecoming suits and much more.

“I love working with the kids,” Miller said. “I enjoy being with the kids and seeing them when they learn something.”

She added there is so much for kids in 4-H to do whether it’s sewing or archery or the kids that show pigs or horses or the kids in the Chef Club learning to cook.

Miller added, “It gives us volunteers such a good feeling when you know this is helping them and this is something they will use the rest of their lives.”