Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
10/27/98
Contacts:
Shirley A. Stakey, 4-H Youth Development, (515) 294-1531
Melva L. Berkland, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-2164
IOWA 4-H DELEGATES TO ATTEND CANADIAN 4-H CONFERENCE
Four Iowa youth and a 4-H volunteer will represent the United States and Iowa at the Canadian National 4-H Youth Conference and the Canadian National 4-H Volunteer Conference. They will be among 70 youths to attend, including two others from the United States, six 4-H youth from each of the 10 Canadian provinces and four from the United Kingdom. The delegates were chosen based on leadership abilities, communication skills and 4-H involvement. The theme of the 1998 Conference is "Agriculture…Focusing on the Future."
Emily Dencklau of Fort Dodge in Webster County; Evie Menefee of Guthrie Center in Guthrie County; Judith Schutter of Farnhamville in Webster County; Carrie Kunde of Manchester in Delaware County and 4-H volunteer Lauren Hughes of Searsboro in Poweshiek County will represent Iowa at the events in Toronto, Ontario, Canada November 4-8, 1998. There, they will study and share ideas on issues relating to environmental and agricultural concerns and get acquainted with other 4-H'ers as they share ideas to enhance the 4-H programs they represent.
Dencklau, 17, has been involved with 4-H for nine years and has taken an active role in teaching and leadership. "My knowledge in the dog project and the leadership skills that I obtained allowed my knowledge to be spread in March 1998 when I started a dog project in Calhoun County," she said. "It took a lot of responsibility on my part, and it was a great success. I plan to carry it on and start classes again in the fall."
She continues to develop her leadership skills as a 3-year member of the Webster County 4-H Council. She also has held numerous positions with her local 4-H club including president for the past two years.
"Since I'm an older 4-H member, I feel that I'm looked up to by not only my sisters, but also the younger members and others that might be interested in 4-H as well," said Dencklau. "They look to me for information, encouragement and support."
Menefee, 18, has been actively involved with 4-H for 10 years. "To me leadership is a quality that a person has gained that enables him or her to guide others in one direction," she said. "A leader believes in what he or she is doing and does it to their best of their ability."
Leadership is nothing new to Menefee, she had served in numerous positions at the local, county and state levels. In the past Menefee has given presentations at the Living History Farms on tractor safety. The audience included former First Lady Barbara Bush. She also helped lead a working exhibit at the Iowa Summit on Volunteerism. She is currently working with other 4-H'ers to start a 4-H council at the area level for Central Iowa.
Schutter, 17, has been involved with 4-H for the past two years. Even though her time with 4-H has been short, she said, "I have taken on responsibilities as a club officer and county 4-H council member. I am thrilled to be presented with so many exciting opportunities through 4-H."
She has attended the county Citizenship Focus trip to Des Moines Focus trip, the Iowa Summit on Volunteerism and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.
Schutter is excited about attending the Canadian National 4-H Conference, "I want to learn about ways we can improve our 4-H program locally, nationally and internationally. I feel like I could learn a great deal and meet some really interesting people."
Kunde, 18, has been active in the dairy project during her 10-year involvement with 4-H. She has taken advantage of the leadership opportunities offered by 4-H by serving her 4-H club as president and historian. She served on the Youth in Action committee for four years. She also served on area and state 4-H councils.
Kunde has participated on the Dairy Quiz Bowl team for four years as a member and became co-coach. She helped Iowa receive a sixth place finish at the National Dairy Quiz Bowl Competition at Louisville, Kentucky in 1997 Kunde was a four-year member of the county dairy judging team. She represented Iowa at the National Dairy Judging Contest in Madison, Wisconsin along with three other teammates. She participated in the dairy section of 4-H Animal Science ROUNDUP at Iowa State University. Kunde was named the county Outstanding Dairy Project Member. Currently she serves as the Delaware County dairy princess.
Hughes, a sophomore at Iowa State University in Ames, is the 4-H volunteer attending the conference. She said, "Without 4-H I would not be where I am today."
During her nine years of involvement, Hughes has been very active with 4-H. She has attended the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference and was a delegate to the 1996 National 4-H Congress. She became a member of the 1997 National 4-H Congress design team. Hughes also served as a member of the State 4-H Council and was a collegiate adviser last year for the council. She said, "My leadership skills continue to grow.
"Citizenship projects, times when I had the opportunity to benefit others and build teamwork, mark some of the most meaningful 4-H experiences I ever had," said Hughes. "My communication skills have improved immensely, and my appreciation and understanding of young children has helped me shape my future professional dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist.
"As a direct result from my participation in 4-H, my interests are many and my hobbies improved. I am an avid photographer and enjoy sewing unique clothing. I love gardening, preparing healthy meals and devising unusual novelties," said Hughes. "Each year I challenged myself to a higher level of skill and worked intently to improve."
Attending the Canadian conference provides youth and volunteers with opportunities to exchange their own ideas and develop leadership skills that they can use in their own lives and in their local communities.
Information about 4-H is available at every Iowa State University Extension county office. Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.