Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
3/31/00
Contacts:
Shirley Stakey, 4-H Youth Development, (515) 294-1531,
x1stakey@exnet.iastate.edu
Tracy S. Petersen, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-5672, tracyp@iastate.edu
Young Leaders Represent Iowa at National 4-H Conference
Seven Iowans will attend the 2000 National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., April 9-15, 2000. The five youth 4-H members and two adults will join more than 300 delegates to heighten interest in 4-H.
Iowa's youth delegates are Erin Cawiezell, Cedar Rapids; Julie Borchers, Holstein; Steven White, Bloomfield; Jane Stalter, Stuart; and Angie Groh, Thornton. The adult delegates are Linda Cline, Callender, and Janelle Stephens, Clarinda.
The theme of this year's conference is "Building a Global Community: Piece by Piece." Delegates will come together to share ideas, form state action plans and create networks with others involved in 4-H from across the United States and Canada. The purpose of the conference is to bring adult and youth participants' visions for the future together to move 4-H into the new millennium with positive changes.
Each delegate is challenged to apply new ideas learned at the conference to improve their clubs, communities, areas and states. During the conference, they will have the opportunity to discuss important issues with elected officials from Iowa.
The Des Moines Register has sponsored four youth delegates to the National 4-H Conference for 72 years. Groh's trip is sponsored by ISU Extension: Science, Engineering and Technology. Adult trips are sponsored by Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance
Erin Cawiezell, daughter of Elizabeth and Scott Cawiezell, is a senior from Cedar Rapids. Cawiezell is a nine-year member of 4-H. She held offices in her club and served on the Linn County 4-H Council and the State 4-H Council. In 1998 she was selected to attend the National 4-H Congress. Cawiezell's 4-H projects have included beef, swine and horse/pony. She is on the honor roll and has been involved in band, yearbook, soccer and other sports. She also is involved with her church youth group, Bible school, and Sunday school. "Two of the most important things 4-H has offered me are opportunities to develop my citizenship and leadership skills, Cawiezell said. "I have learned how to work with diverse groups of people to achieve set goals. 4-H has taught me how to become actively involved in my community and to become goal oriented. In 4-H I learn by watching others and gain from their successes and experiences."
Steven White is an eight-year member of 4-H and the son of Dale and Jackie White of Bloomfield. He has held club offices and has served on the Davis County 4-H Council and 4-H youth committee as well as on the State 4-H Council. He has chosen 4-H projects in communications, entomology and woodworking. White is a senior at Davis County High School where he participates in art, band, speech, volunteering and Iowa student legislature. He is a trustee at his church and is vice-president of Explorer Sea Scouts. "I was a very shy little kid when I joined 4-H," White said. "Most everybody in my club was very supportive and encouraging, especially my leaders and parents. As I did more things and became more active in my club it seemed easier to get up and talk in front of people. I felt like I could do anything and reach any goal I set."
Julie Borchers is a nine-year member of 4-H from Holstein. She has held club offices and has served on the Ida County 4-H Council and youth committee as well as the State 4-H Council. The daughter of Linda Borchers and David Borchers, she has been most active in 4-H leadership and communication projects. The Galva Holstein High School senior participates in band, choir, speech and Model United Nations. Borchers is currently a page in the Iowa Legislature. She is vice-president of National Honor Society and has been a member of All State Band for two years. She also is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a peer tutor. "Through 4-H I have learned many valuable life skills including communication skills, leadership, citizenship, record keeping and public speaking," Borchers said.
Jane Stalter is a junior at West Central High School. She has been in 4-H for eight years and is president of her 4-H club. She has served on the Adair County 4-H Council and youth committee as well as the State 4-H Council. Her 4-H projects include communications and child development. In high school she participates in choir, band, speech, dance and Odyssey of the Mind. She is a member of the drill team, the flag corps, the golf team and the cheerleading squad. "4-H has not only made me a better leader, but is has also taught me to believe in myself," Stalter said. "Through projects and activities, I have been able to succeed in a friendly and supportive environment. It is an experience that will always stay with me." Stalter is the daughter of Deb and Kevin Stalter of Stuart.
Angie Groh is a seven-year member of 4-H. She has held the club offices of president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer and has served on the Cerro Gordo County 4-H Council. The daughter of Kim and Barry Groh of Thornton, Groh has been most active in 4-H computer projects. The Sheffield, Chapin, Meservey, and Thornton High School sophomore participates in band, speech and drama, basketball, golf, cheerleading and the science club. She also is on the honor roll. "4-H has given me a great start on life. It has given me the opportunity to discover talents I never knew I had. Through communications I have become much more comfortable talking in front of people. In the past years I have been involved in the technology area, which has helped me so much," Groh said. "4-H has given me organization skills, and confidence in myself, and also an understanding of the importance of community service and helping others."
Linda Cline, Callender, will represent Iowa as an adult delegate. Cline is an ISU Extension 4-H program assistant in Webster County. She has been a volunteer 4-H leader for 17 years and was involved in 4-H as a youth. Cline has served on the fair board for one year. "I have participated with a lot of the programs 4-H has to offer," she said. "I feel this opportunity is special because only the top 4-H'ers attend. By participating I could promote it more to 4-H'ers so they can participate in this activity."
Janelle Stephens, a 4-H volunteer from Clarinda, will also attend as an adult delegate. Stephens has been a volunteer 4-H club leader for 11 years and was involved in 4-H as a youth. She has served on the county 4-H Committee and on a state community club task force on volunteer development. "Growing up in Page County, which has ties to the very beginnings of 4-H, I feel I have an extra strong bond to the 4-H program," she said. "The dedication I possess to 4-H would be enhanced with the experience of attending National 4-H Conference."
More information about 4-H is available from ISU Extension county offices.
Downloadable photos are available at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/newsrel/2000/mar00/mar0013_conf4h.html
To receive print photos, call (515) 294-5672.
Photo captions:
1.) Iowa's delegates to the 2000 National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. are (from left): Linda Cline, Jane Stalter, Steven White, Erin Cawiezell, Janelle Stephens and Julie Borchers. Not pictured: Angie Groh.
2.) Angie Groh is one of 7 Iowa delegates to the 2000 National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C.
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