Two local youth Jamie Kuzma and Haley Dechaine have been chosen as 4-H Alberta Ambassadors for the northeast region, after attending 4-H Selections in Olds, May 5 to 7.
“I’m quite honoured with it. It’s definitely quite the experience, and I’m excited to see where this takes me,” said 18-year-old Kuzma, who, as a 4-H Alberta Ambassador, will also have the opportunity to attend the Western Regional 4-H Leadership forum in San Diego in March of 2018.
Several 4-H members were awarded trips and exchanges, and Dechaine was awarded the chance to attend 4-H Alberta Northern Alberta & Northwest Territories Camping and Agriculture Development Tour.
“I’m super excited; I can’t wait to go,” Dechaine said, of the opportunity to tour farms and agriculture operations from Edmonton to Yellowknife, from July 20 to 29 of this year. She welcomed the opportunity to be an ambassador, as it will give her a chance to see the entire region and promote the 4-H organization.
All senior 4-H members between the ages of 15 to 20 were welcome to attend Selections as delegates, with this year featuring exercises and sessions focused on the theme, Planning for the Future.
Two ambassadors were selected from each of Alberta’s seven regions, based on certain factors, including their involvement in the 4-H program, facilitator scoring, responses on a quiz, and peer ratings. Ambassadors will promote 4-H and youth involvement in Alberta, as well as represent the organization at educational events and conferences.
This year, ambassadors will also have the chance to take part in a special celebration planned in Olds for August to mark 100 years of 4-H in Alberta, Centennial Fever.
With 10 years under her belt as a St. Paul 4-H Multi Club member, and as a long-time member of the St. Paul 4-H Horse Club as well, Kuzma says she can’t say enough good things about the organization.
“I feel 4-H is just an excellent program overall for youth. We can learn so many different skills from communication to team building; it just provides so many opportunities.”
Dechaine, who has been with 4-H for seven years, echoed the positive feedback, saying she feels the experience has been a good one in preparing her for her desired future career as a veterinarian.
“It’s definitely opened a lot of opportunities for schooling and what I want to become after high school,” she said, adding, “And meeting new people from all over the province has definitely helped my self-confidence.”
