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Isobel Kinash
4-H has been a large and meaningful part of my life since I was six years old. Now more than ever, even as I prepare for a new chapter of my life (going to university) it is one of my main focuses. 4-H has helped me to develop into a better person because it has provided me with friendship, confidence, passion, and the opportunity to expand my horizons and learn more about the world around me. 4-H has created a community within my township, my province and my country, that I feel so grateful to be part of. Because of 4-H, I can speak clearly in front of an audience, I can readily converse with people from all walks of life, and I can go into something new knowing I will always learn something from it. I cannot thank 4-H enough for shaping me into the person I am today, because I attribute a lot of my skills to it. What 4-H stands for and the amazing people who make it successful will always have a special place in my heart. |
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Shelley Jones
4-H helped to shape the person I am today. Through 4-H, I learned the importance, and put into practice, service above self. I remember delivering Christmas cookies to shut-ins in our community and the sense of gratification it gave me - such a simple act of giving brought so much joy to both those on the receiving end, and to me. That ‘diamond discovery’ has shined brightly throughout my lifetime, with community volunteerism, in both campaigns big and small, and a commitment to public service, defining me and my career. |
The Panter Family
Our family became involved in the 4h program about 8 years ago when the General Leader of our club asked if we would be interested in getting involved. The first year we enrolled our children and we watched from the sidelines as 4H parents. My wife and I noticed in the first year that our children were having an amazing time and we quickly realized the value of the 4H program. After just one year, we took the plunge and immersed ourselves in the 4H movement as project leaders. The current leaders of the club were looking toward retirement and did not want to see the 4h club fail in our community.
To say that we jumped in with both feet would be an understatement. Our son has been in the Beef project his entire 4H career and has sat on various executive positions within our club. My daughter started out in the beef project but moved on to different projects in her later years of 4H. She also sat on various executive positions within our local club as well as district president and District Representative to the AGM. She was also awarded a trip to Ontario for the Global 4H Summit as well as a major scholarship! My wife was initially a project leader and a “behind the scenes” coordinator of our club. She has since come out of hiding and is currently serving her second term as a 4h Ambassador. She has organized a provincial public speaking event as well as numerous other club, district, and regional events and she currently holds the general leader position within our club. I have been the beef project leader of our club for my whole 4H career and have spent a number of years as general leader. I have served 3 terms on the provincial board of directors and that has given me the opportunity to witness this amazing program from a whole new perspective.
We now have an extended family both within the province and nation wide thanks to the 4h program. Our club is vibrant and keeps growing annually thanks in part to our strong commitment to having fun at all of our events. Our members continue to spread their wings well beyond the club level with travel awards, AGM, as well as provincial and regional 4h programming.
All in all, I can truthfully say that our lives have revolved around 4H since we got involved. This program has provided so much entertainment, education and enjoyment to our family that we can’t ever hope to give back enough to make up for it. For that reason, we are hoping to continue our involvement long after our children have graduated from the program. There is a sign at the end of our road that says “A proud 4H family lives here”. These words speak volumes.
Our family became involved in the 4h program about 8 years ago when the General Leader of our club asked if we would be interested in getting involved. The first year we enrolled our children and we watched from the sidelines as 4H parents. My wife and I noticed in the first year that our children were having an amazing time and we quickly realized the value of the 4H program. After just one year, we took the plunge and immersed ourselves in the 4H movement as project leaders. The current leaders of the club were looking toward retirement and did not want to see the 4h club fail in our community.
To say that we jumped in with both feet would be an understatement. Our son has been in the Beef project his entire 4H career and has sat on various executive positions within our club. My daughter started out in the beef project but moved on to different projects in her later years of 4H. She also sat on various executive positions within our local club as well as district president and District Representative to the AGM. She was also awarded a trip to Ontario for the Global 4H Summit as well as a major scholarship! My wife was initially a project leader and a “behind the scenes” coordinator of our club. She has since come out of hiding and is currently serving her second term as a 4h Ambassador. She has organized a provincial public speaking event as well as numerous other club, district, and regional events and she currently holds the general leader position within our club. I have been the beef project leader of our club for my whole 4H career and have spent a number of years as general leader. I have served 3 terms on the provincial board of directors and that has given me the opportunity to witness this amazing program from a whole new perspective.
We now have an extended family both within the province and nation wide thanks to the 4h program. Our club is vibrant and keeps growing annually thanks in part to our strong commitment to having fun at all of our events. Our members continue to spread their wings well beyond the club level with travel awards, AGM, as well as provincial and regional 4h programming.
All in all, I can truthfully say that our lives have revolved around 4H since we got involved. This program has provided so much entertainment, education and enjoyment to our family that we can’t ever hope to give back enough to make up for it. For that reason, we are hoping to continue our involvement long after our children have graduated from the program. There is a sign at the end of our road that says “A proud 4H family lives here”. These words speak volumes.
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Kati Culbertson
4-H is not just a business meeting held on the first Wednesday evening of every month or an opportunity to place first at your achievement day to brag to your fellow 4-H’ers. It is more than that. 4-H is an opportunity to build everlasting relationships with your fellow members. Partaking in memorable Wednesday evening meetings, weekend field trips, weigh days, cattle shows and public speaking and judging competitions. And Achievement day is not an opportunity to prove you’re better than the rest of your club. Its a chance to encourage improvement in your fellow 4-H’ers, build teamwork and help each other out when one is struggling with a task at hand. I am Kati Culbertson, a current 4-H’er in the Alida and Area 4-H Beef Club, a member of the advisory council and a member delegate on the board of directors. Five years ago, I would have never dreamt of sitting on a board and committee sharing my opinion to represent our today's youth. Over the past five years, I have grown as a daughter, a friend and as a community member because of 4-H. Furthermore, this program has opened many doors for me because I am now confident in myself and the decisions I make. I am fortunate to be so involved in this youth-based organization, and I will forever appreciate the leadership skills and confidence I have developed throughout this program. |
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Tara Malinowski
I am a proud 4-H Leader and Board Member. I fell into the 4-H program, after my oldest daughter had been a member for a couple of years. At the time I didn't have a clue what I was doing or where the journey would take me, but I am so glad I am a part of this wonderful organization. If anyone tells you it’s just for youth, Don't Listen! All of the grown-ups I know that are involved learn, grow and contribute just as much as the youth members do! I have gained so much confidence, learned so much about a huge variety of things and made friendships across the country because I am involved in 4-H. ( not to mention all the great food!) Knowing that my volunteer hours have directly impacted my community and my province gives me a real sense of accomplishment. It is one of the best things I have ever done. |
Brittany Stepp
I started 4-H at the prime age of 6. Being the youngest family member in the family, I loved to follow my siblings along to everything they did. So of course I got to join 4-H just like they did. In the 14 years I was in 4-H I was able to gain knowledge in leadership as I held various positions on executive boards for various clubs/committees. I have made friends all over the province, which says a lot as I live as far south and central as you can get in Saskatchewan. As I got older I got more involved with the program as much as I could, going right from a member to a leadership position. I continue to be involved in the judging program not just at local level, but as far as both provincial and national levels as well. If it wasn’t for my years in 4-H I wouldn’t be the confident public speaker I am today. In general I would have to say 4-H has shaped me entirely into the person I am today.
My children are the 4th generation to be involved in the program. My grandparents were both leaders when my father and his siblings were on the program. Once my siblings joined 4-H, my dad took a leadership role, in my 14 years of being a member I had the privilege to have my dad be my leader the whole time. Watching him gain friendships with both members, parents and other leaders really inspired me to be just like him when I grew up. I am still involved in all the small communities in my area, not just the small town I live in, and that’s all thanks to how 4-H shaped me to always serve the community.
When it comes to 4-H I have to say I continue to pledge as much involvement as I possibly can. I am pledging my head, heart, hands and health as much as I mentally can and am always proud to strike up a conversation with friends/family/strangers as it pertains to this program. I honestly can’t picture my future without the program and I’m so happy my kids love 4-H just as much as I did growing up. I can already see how much it has begun to shape their future. The poem “it’s not about the ribbons” has always hit my heart and soul to how true it really is. The trophies and ribbons grow old, the money is soon spent, and the fame wears off. But the friendships and memories gained is the true prize a 4-H member can ever achieve.
I started 4-H at the prime age of 6. Being the youngest family member in the family, I loved to follow my siblings along to everything they did. So of course I got to join 4-H just like they did. In the 14 years I was in 4-H I was able to gain knowledge in leadership as I held various positions on executive boards for various clubs/committees. I have made friends all over the province, which says a lot as I live as far south and central as you can get in Saskatchewan. As I got older I got more involved with the program as much as I could, going right from a member to a leadership position. I continue to be involved in the judging program not just at local level, but as far as both provincial and national levels as well. If it wasn’t for my years in 4-H I wouldn’t be the confident public speaker I am today. In general I would have to say 4-H has shaped me entirely into the person I am today.
My children are the 4th generation to be involved in the program. My grandparents were both leaders when my father and his siblings were on the program. Once my siblings joined 4-H, my dad took a leadership role, in my 14 years of being a member I had the privilege to have my dad be my leader the whole time. Watching him gain friendships with both members, parents and other leaders really inspired me to be just like him when I grew up. I am still involved in all the small communities in my area, not just the small town I live in, and that’s all thanks to how 4-H shaped me to always serve the community.
When it comes to 4-H I have to say I continue to pledge as much involvement as I possibly can. I am pledging my head, heart, hands and health as much as I mentally can and am always proud to strike up a conversation with friends/family/strangers as it pertains to this program. I honestly can’t picture my future without the program and I’m so happy my kids love 4-H just as much as I did growing up. I can already see how much it has begun to shape their future. The poem “it’s not about the ribbons” has always hit my heart and soul to how true it really is. The trophies and ribbons grow old, the money is soon spent, and the fame wears off. But the friendships and memories gained is the true prize a 4-H member can ever achieve.
Ashley Kerslake
4-H has changed my life! It has shaped me into the person I am today and I couldn't be happier. 4-H has led me down a path that I never expected. Being in the club has taught me valuable knowledge and life skill I now use every day at the business I opened. Had I not joined 4-H, I don't think I would have had the confidence and skill set to have gotten where I am today. The public speaking helped immensely with my fear of talking to crowds and I can now do full presentations and demonstrations of what I do, literally in front of hundreds of people.
Before I joined 4-H, i did not have a lot of self-confidence or self-esteem, but that has all changed and I am where I want to be, all because of 4-H and the people in it. I also met my fiance because of the 4-H club! It's really a great program to meet like-minded individuals with similar values. I've met so many amazing people through 4-H and each and every one of them has helped me to shine brighter!
4-H has changed my life! It has shaped me into the person I am today and I couldn't be happier. 4-H has led me down a path that I never expected. Being in the club has taught me valuable knowledge and life skill I now use every day at the business I opened. Had I not joined 4-H, I don't think I would have had the confidence and skill set to have gotten where I am today. The public speaking helped immensely with my fear of talking to crowds and I can now do full presentations and demonstrations of what I do, literally in front of hundreds of people.
Before I joined 4-H, i did not have a lot of self-confidence or self-esteem, but that has all changed and I am where I want to be, all because of 4-H and the people in it. I also met my fiance because of the 4-H club! It's really a great program to meet like-minded individuals with similar values. I've met so many amazing people through 4-H and each and every one of them has helped me to shine brighter!
