AMES, Iowa – Katie Staiert of Mills County has been selected to represent Iowa at the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 28 – Dec. 2.  She is sponsored by the Iowa 4-H Foundation National 4-H Congress Endowment.  Staiert, 17, is the daughter of Dave and Ann Staiert of Malvern.

Staiert is one of 22 youth from Iowa attending the leadership conference, entitled “Accept the Challenge.”  Iowa’s Congress delegates are selected through interviews and evaluation of support materials. Staiert, a senior at Glenwood Community High School, was chosen for her leadership, citizenship and overall achievement in the 4-H program.

During her seven years in 4-H, Staiert has completed several major projects including photography, food and nutrition, citizenship, dog and woodworking. She has participated in Share the Fun and presented working exhibits at the Iowa State Fair while receiving the outstanding visual arts award, outstanding woodworking award and community betterment award for her club at the local level. A state and county 4-H council member, Staiert has attended the Citizenship-Washington Focus and served on her county youth committee and as secretary, vice president and president of her 4-H club.

“4-H has given me the confidence to be myself. Various activities through 4-H have helped me find my voice and be a leader for others. It has helped me learn that it’s OK to be out of my comfort zone,” Staiert said. “Every opportunity in life is a chance to meet new people, have great experiences and grow as a person.”

For more information about 4-H, contact the Mills County office of Iowa State University 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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