Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
3/15/02
Contacts:
Brenda Allen, 4-H Youth Development, (515) 294-1567, bsallen@iastate.edu
Tracy S. Petersen, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515)
294-9915
Harrison County 4-H Supporter To Attend National Conference
AMES, Iowa -- Dee Colwell, Woodbine, has been named a delegate to the 2002 National 4-H Conference, April 6 through 13, at the National 4-H Council in Chevy Chase, Md.
Colwell, who will attend as an adult delegate, is a county youth coordinator with the Iowa State University Extension Office in Harrison County. She serves as the Southwest Iowa coordinator for the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference and has participated in the North Central Regional Volunteer Forum.
Joining Colwell will be youth delegates Teresa Jurchen of Cumberland, Nate Hertel of Jefferson, Andy Determan of Early and Kari Entriken of Webster City. Helen Ackerman of Cedar Falls also is attending the conference as an adult delegate.
This year's conference theme is Building a Global Community: The Power of Youth.
"This year we'll focus on the 4-H centennial anniversary, as well as the Conversations on Youth Development initiative sponsored by the National 4-H Council," Brenda Allen, Iowa 4-H youth specialist, said. That initiative is the result of a series of conversations held over the past several months by 4-H supporters to create a national policy for youth development.
The delegates will attend meetings and focus groups that address recommendations from the conversations and how they relate to 4-H programs across the nation. They include: healthier and safer youth, diversity and how it empowers change, ethics, making education a global priority and the digital divide.
The delegates also will spend a day on Capitol Hill, meeting with members of the U.S. Congress and presenting the National Conversations on Youth Development recommendations.
"Working with 4-H'ers has given me the chance to meet the most outstanding young people in our state," Colwell said. "They have so much energy and are able to accomplish great tasks. Their enthusiasm is contagious."
Colwell's trip is sponsored by Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance. For more information about 4-H contact your Iowa State University Extension county office.
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