AMES, Iowa — Six 4-H youth recently returned from Washington, D.C., where they represented Iowa at the National 4-H Conference April 7-12.
Paul Olson, Joice; Karrigan Mentzer, Lehigh; Sara DeBerg, Burlington; Morgan Fritz, Lake Mills; Nalleli Nava Tellez, Marshalltown; and Julia Tubbs, Des Moines; were selected by a panel of volunteers through an extensive application and interview process as a part of State 4-H Recognition Day in spring 2017. The National 4-H Conference is a working conference and is a prestigious opportunity for 4-H’ers around the nation, said Bonnie Dalager, a program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development.
“The National 4-H Conference is an educational opportunity for Iowa 4-H’ers. Delegates are selected based on their experience and skills in leadership, citizenship and communication,” Dalager said.
“Youth delegates engage in supporting and advocating for the 4-H Youth Development program in their communities and while on the trip with representatives and senators on Capitol Hill. At this national event, they work with teams of youth from around the country to identify and share solutions to current issues affecting young people today,” Dalager said. “Their solutions are presented to groups of government officials, members of national associations and with stakeholders. The long-term goal is that these young people will continue to share the knowledge and skills they’ve gained with their peers and with leaders in their own communities when they return home.”
Karrigan Mentzer felt National Conference was a valuable event. “I would recommend it to all 4-H’ers. I was able to meet so many amazing people and I feel like we were truly able to make an impact.”
Julia Tubbs, Polk County
Julia Tubbs is the daughter of Peter and Joanne Tubbs. She has been involved in 4-H for six years and attends Des Moines Roosevelt High School. She has participated in County 4-H Council and Iowa 4-H Youth Conference. Tubbs has been involved in many project areas, including: photography, fashion, art, personal development and child development.
Karrigan Mentzer, Webster County
Karrigan Mentzer, daughter of Bret and Stacy Mentzer, is an eight year 4-H member from Southeast Valley High School. She has been involved in many project areas including: rabbits, citizenship, leadership, sewing and needle arts, and child development. She has received awards in rabbit and citizenship projects and a state citizenship award.
Sarah DeBerg, Des Moines County
Des Moines County 4-H’er Sarah DeBerg is the daughter of Kyle and Nola DeBerg of Burlington. She serves on her County 4-H Council as co-president and is a youth representative for the Des Moines County Youth Council. DeBerg has held the offices of president, secretary, historian and photographer for her 4-H club. She has been a delegate to National 4-H Congress and the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference. She participates in the leadership, citizenship, communications and child development project areas.
Morgan Fritz, Worth County
Worth County 4-H member Morgan Fritz is the daughter of Teresa Fritz of Lake Mills. She has been a 4-H member for three years and has served as her local 4-H club’s historian. Fritz attended her county’s Chicago Awards Trip. She enjoys participating in the project areas of horticulture, home improvement, visual arts, leadership and citizenship.
Paul Olson, Worth County
Paul Olson, son of Ed and Julia Olson, has been a member of Worth County 4-H for eight years. He has attended the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference and was selected as a delegate to the 2016 National 4-H Congress. He participates in the woodworking, citizenship, photography, education and livestock project areas.
Nalleli Nava-Tellez
Nalleli Nava-Tellez, daughter of Miguel Nava and Estela Tellez, has been a Marshall County 4-Her for the past two years. She resides in Marshalltown and attends Marshalltown High School. Nava-Tellez has enjoyed attending the Maize Retreat and making new friends there for the past two years. She participates in the leadership and citizenship project areas.
Funding for the National 4-H Conference was provided by the Iowa 4-H Foundation.For more information on the Iowa 4-H Youth Development program, please contact your local county ISU Extension and Outreach office or visit the Iowa 4-H website at www.extension.iastate.edu/4h.
— Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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