AMES, Iowa -- Local 4-H'er Daniel VanSant, Malvern, was selected to serve on the 2005-2006 State 4-H Council, a group of 40 teen leaders who serve as 4-H ambassadors. He will represent the southwest Iowa area.

VanSant was inducted to the State 4-H Council at the closing ceremonies of the 2005 Iowa 4-H Youth Conference June 30. He will serve as a 4-H ambassador within Mills County, southwest Iowa and will participate in various statewide functions. During his ambassador training in mid-June, VanSant developed leadership skills and prepared to help facilitate workshops on such topics as youth-adult partnerships in addition to sharing with youth about 4-H opportunities available throughout the state. Other responsibilities of the State 4-H Council members include working at the Iowa State Fair, planning the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference and serving on the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

"The State 4-H Council gives youth an opportunity to develop important life skills," said Chuck Morris, Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program Leader. "Youth learn to become better leaders through interaction with adults and peers."

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Photo Caption

The 2005-2006 State 4-H Council members from southwest Iowa are (from left): Daniel VanSant, Mills County; Sarah Beaver, Page County; T.J. Masker, West Pottawattamie County; Matt Mensing, Adair County; Chuck Morris, Iowa 4-H Youth Development Program Leader; Jon Kempf, Guthrie County; Megan Fischer, West Pottawattamie County; and Natalie Bohling, Adair County. Not pictured is Cindy Walter, Fremont County.