Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
3/23/01
Contacts:
Brenda Allen, 4-H Youth Development, (515) 294-1567,
bsallen@iastate.edu
Tracy S. Petersen, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-9915
Pocahontas County 4-H Member To Attend National Conference
Michael Ekstrand, Pocahontas, has been selected to attend the 2001 National 4-H Conference, April 1 through 7 at the National 4-H Council in Chevy Chase, Md. Ekstrand, 16, is the son of Dean and Deb Ekstrand.
Joining Ekstrand will be Brianne Tabke of Moville, Shennen Floy of Thornton, Ashley Glade of Guthrie Center and Ryan Mortvedt of Story City. Sharon Anstey of Chariton is attending as an adult delegate. Brenda Allen, Iowa 4-H youth specialist, also will attend the conference. This year's conference theme is Building a Global Community: Blueprint for Action.
The 2001 conference will focus on the power of youth, Allen said. "We'll discuss how to better use youths as active partners in creating change."
The delegates will attend meetings and focus groups to discuss healthier and safer youths, diversity and how it powers change, ethics, making education a global priority and the digital divide. They also will spend a day on Capitol Hill, meeting with members of the U.S. Congress.
Ekstrand is a six-year 4-H member who has completed several projects, including citizenship, computer, leadership and swine. He has served on the county 4-H council and has participated in the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference. He also is a member of the Iowa Youth Technology Team and the National 4-H Youth Technology Leadership Team.
"4-H has helped me develop self confidence and poise, particularly in public speaking situations," Ekstrand said. He is a home-schooled sophomore.
Youth trips are sponsored by The Des Moines Register and Iowa State University Extension: Science, Engineering and Technology. Adult trips are sponsored by Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance. For more information about 4-H contact your Iowa State University Extension county office.
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.