these foster families, but one child did not want to participate in building the rockets, Olivo said. “She said she didn’t want to build a bottle rocket because she wasn’t going to be there when they launched them.” Olivo said. “She was getting moved to a different state.” Foster said she noticed this girl and went to talk with her. “I sat down to talk with this little girl who was so sweet and nice,” Foster said. “Within minutes of talking, she was attached to my hip. She was instantly connected to me, and this was before I told her I had been through foster care and that I was adopted.” The little girl started opening up and shared she was getting adopted the next week, Foster said. “As soon as I shared my story, it’s like something switched in her,” Foster said. “She had instant trust. She immediately started telling me about her mom, dad, brothers, sisters and new family. She was scared to move, and I told her it was going to be OK.” Even though they were building bottle rockets, the children having someone around their own age to talk to had the biggest impact, Foster said. “Most of those kids, whether they are an only foster child in the home or one of multiple, may not have anyone to talk to or anyone to go to,” Foster said. “It’s important for them to have an outlet, and we are their outlet.” The 4-H volunteers bring hope to the children in this program, she said. “By getting to spend time with these 4-H’ers, the children get to see that the world isn’t as bad as it’s put out to be,” Foster said. “It’s important for them to see the good in life,” she added, “and with me they see a positive outcome.”
SADIE RAASCH CADDO COUNTY OKLAHOMA
Justin (center) and Sonya McDaniel join daughter, Addison, 8. Photo by Laura Vandeever.
A COOPERATIVE EFFORT
Although Sonya and Justin McDaniel both graduated from Oklahoma State University, they did not meet as students. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service brought them together. Justin McDaniel graduated from OSU in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science production and in 2003 with a master’s degree in agricultural education. Sonya McDaniel graduated from OSU in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in family relations and child development. The McDaniels have a relationship that keeps each other on their toes, he said. He serves as the extension educator for agriculture in McClain County and the interim county director. Sonya McDaniel serves as the family and consumer sciences extension educator, county director and state coordinator for the Women in Agriculture conference in Pottawatomie County. “He was in Coal County, and I was in Bryan County,” she said. “He would often come in because of work. I gave him dating advice, as a friend, and he never texted the girl I told him he should. It worked out for me in the end.” The two fostered a friendship, which lasted for about two years before they even considered dating, Sonya McDaniel said. “I would have never guessed I would have dated, or married, someone from the same field,” Sonya McDaniel said. “However, we have now been married for almost 16 years.” Justin McDaniel said working for the same organization is interesting. “Working together has positives and negatives,” he said. “We understand what each other does and goes through, but it is easy to bring work home. It is such a big part of our lives that it is easy to get tied up in the day to day.” However, Sonya McDaniel said when working with the Women in Agriculture conference, she asks her husband when she needs help. “He knows some people better than I do,” she said. “He can clarify who goes where because he is in that field. It has been beneficial. We are able to bounce ideas off of each other, and Justin steals all of my good ideas.” Justin McDaniel said while they do not see each other often while working, their jobs overlap at times. Humor is an important part of their relationship, he added, and they try to not take each other too seriously. “Life is too short to not spend time with your loved ones,” Justin McDaniel said. “I just so happen to be married to my best friend and someone who keeps me laughing.” — TF
VOLUME 22 NUMBER 2 | 33
