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N.D. Youth Learn Life Skills at 4-H Congress

Four North Dakota teens participate in the National 4-H Congress.

Four North Dakota teens were among 1,200 youth from throughout the U.S. who attended the 2009 National 4-H Congress in Atlanta.

Heidi Barnick of Cando, Nicole Bruse of rural Horace, Bobbi Jo Kronberg of Forbes and Blaine Novak of rural Fordville joined other conference delegates at the Nov. 27-Dec. 1 conference.

The conference focused on leadership life skills and encouraged delegates to develop skills they will practice in their communities and carry into their adults lives. “Accept the Challenge” was the conference theme.

“Some of the best things about Congress were meeting new people and all the activities we got to do,” Barnick says. “I would definitely go again if I could, and I would recommend it to anybody who was wondering if they should apply. It was a great experience.”

The other North Dakota delegates agreed.

“The best part of the trip was getting to meet people from all over the country and even from other countries,” Novak says.

“My favorite part of the trip was meeting new people, making new friends and service projects,” Bruse says. “The trip was a blast, and I would recommend it to all 4-H’ers if they have the opportunity to do so.”

Delegates explored a variety of Atlanta resources, including the Carter Presidential Library, Martin Luther King Center for Non-Violent Change, Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta Zoo, CNN Center and Atlanta History Center.

Keynote speakers for the conference were Dan Thurman, a motivational speaker, author, entertainer and entrepreneur; Dan Clark, a nationally recognized speaker, songwriter, recording artist and primary contributing author to “Chicken Soup for the Soul;” Barbara Chamberlin, an Extension Service instructional design and educational media specialist, assistant professor and project director of the Learning Games Lab at New Mexico State University; and Katie Stam, Miss America 2009.

Stacey Heggen, an agent for the North Dakota State University Extension Service’s Benson County office and the chaperone for the four North Dakota 4-H’ers, says that attending the conference gives North Dakota youth an opportunity to gain life experience through travel and interaction with 4-H members from throughout the U.S.

“Many of them discover a renewed energy for the 4-H program and the opportunities they have to make a difference within it,” Heggen adds. “What an amazing reward for those who are able to attend a trip like this.”

The North Dakota 4-H Foundation sponsored the trip.


NDSU Agriculture Communication

Source:Brenda Vertin, (701) 231-7259, brenda.vertin@ndsu.edu
Editor:Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ellen.crawford@ndsu.edu
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