" 4-H gave me the groundwork to be a better communicator, leader and listener in all the things I do."
Highland Community College, Associates, Ag Business Management
UW Madison, Farm & ndustry Short Course, Dairy Science, 1 year certificate.
Office Support Assistant, University of Illinois Extension, Stephenson County
Favorite 4-H Projects: Dairy Cattle, Gardening (terrariums), and Baking
Did any of your 4-H project skills, experiences or connections help prepare you for your career path?
Definitely! I quickly became an accredited dairy cattle judge after earning my spot on the 4-H Jr. & Sr. Dairy judging teams and competed at the IL State Fair and World Dairy Expo! And in college I was on the Highland Dairy Judging team and went to nationals. The experiences, challenges (especially at Dairy Expo & giving oral reasons) and the people I met, & places I traveled to judge will forever be in my treasured memories!
What advice do you have for someone who wants to enter your career path?
Go for it! I was a scared, shy, farm kid, but when you find something that really interests you, keep working at it and improving your knowledge & skills and the rest is frosting on the cake!
What did you learn through 4-H that benefits you today?
How to communicate my opinions, how to work on a team, being prepared, and even coming in last gives you important information to use and improve. Always be willing to help others too, as I had so many people coaching me and their advice was great!
How did 4-H contribute to your leadership skills today?
It gave me the groundwork to be a better communicator, leader and listener in all the things I do.
What advice would you give a current 4-H member?
Try anything!! I never would have tried dairy judging until I went to a county event because my brother was going so Mom made me go too and I did really good! 4-H truly has something for anyone! For city kids they can do any animal project and for farm kids they can do anything too...the projects are limitless and the possibilities too. If you try it & don't like it, no harm done, but you gave it a whirl! I was also a 4-H club leader for over 20 years & I told members they could be as involved as they want, by taking just 1 project or 20! And definitely try all the workshops, judging events, camps, and opportunities 4-H has!
Do you currently volunteer or have volunteered with the 4-H program? If so, in what capacity.
Yes, I was a 4-H club organizational leader for over 20 years and now I still volunteer as a project leader. I will ALWAYS be involved in 4-H!!! I also work for the University of IL Extension in Stephenson County, so I get to work with our county club leaders, members and our Unit 4-H staff everyday too!