AMES, Iowa – Emily Schmitt of Fayette County has been selected to represent Iowa at the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Ga. Nov. 24-28. She is sponsored by the Iowa Farm Bureau Life Charitable Trust and Kent Feeds, Inc. Schmitt, 17, is the daughter of Steven and Connie Schmitt of Hawkeye.

Schmitt will join 22 other youth from Iowa at the leadership conference, entitled "Lead, Learn, Grow." Iowa's Congress delegates are selected through interviews and evaluation of support materials. Schmitt, a senior at North Fayette High School, was chosen for her leadership, citizenship and overall achievement in the 4-H program. 

During her eight years in 4-H, Schmitt has completed major projects including leadership, communication, citizenship, dairy and visual art. She has received state 4-H honors such as performing in Share-the-Fun and receiving third place in the National Dairy Quiz Bowl. Along with these, Schmitt has received honors at the county level such as top senior record book, the Danforth “I Dare You” Award, county fair t-shirt design winner, and various project awards. She also has served as president, treasurer and secretary of her 4-H club. She has served as secretary on her county 4-H council and participated in the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“4-H has taught me leadership as well as citizenship,” said Schmitt. “I’ve learned to be a better communicator and I’ve also been able to explore my interests through 4-H. I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know that the skills I learned in 4-H will help me every step of the way.”

For more information about 4-H, contact the Fayette County office of Iowa State University (ISU) Extension. 4-H in Iowa is administered through the ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development program and headquartered on the ISU campus in Ames.

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