• How long have you been involved in 4-H?
I am currently in my 12th year. I was in Cloverbuds for two years, and small engine repair for three years. I have been a junior leader for the past three years and I am currently in my 10th year as a market beef member of which I am also the president of the Meeker Beef Club.
• What is your favorite 4-H activity?
I would have to say that my favorite 4-H related activity is the RBC Fair and the steer show.
• What categories will you compete in at the fair?
I will compete against the other beef showmen in senior showmanship and I will also compete in hopefully two market classes – since I have two market steers.
• List past 4-H awards or accomplishments?
I won Grand Champion Market Beef in August of 2007. I won Grand Champion Senior Beef Showman in August of 2008 along with Top Junior Leader that year for all of the projects.
• What have you learned from your time in 4-H?
I have learned responsibility, a lot of financial stuff and that you need commitment, help and follow-through to finish and complete a satisfactory and well-done project.
• What is your favorite 4-H memory or experience?
Two times that I will always remember is when I won the Grand Champion Market Beef in 2007 and when I won the Champion Senior Showman in 2008. I hope I can put everything together in 2009, my final year, and win both of the titles. If I do so, I will tie with my older brother and that would be great to tease him about down the road.
• What are your future plans?
I am currently enrolled in classes at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley for this fall and will probably major in elementary education. I love sports and would ultimately like to become a coach for the NFL or the NBA. In the meantime, until a position comes open there, I will plan on teaching and continue to volunteer to coach for any sport that time away from my summer job allows me to.
• What advice would you give up-and-coming 4-H’ers?
I would recommend to anyone that is new to 4-H and if you’re interested in something, give it a try. Don’t attempt too many things in the first year and it really works a lot better if you go slow and add on more 4-H-related activities after you get your driver’s license. This way, you don’t have to bother your parents, or other family members, to take you to all of your activities and they don’t have to try to work your requirements into their busy schedules. Everyone in the family will get along better and they will probably be more willing and happy to help you out if they don’t have to attend every meeting, cleanup day, etc.
Last, but not least, if possible, I would like to thank a couple of individuals for all of their help the past 12 years with all of my 4-H projects. Without them, 4-H would not have been possible for me. A big thank-you to Bart and Mary Strang, Tom and Lisa Walsh, Bill Jordan and grandma Sharon Clapper. A really big thank-you to my older brother Jak and my parents, Howard and Peggy. Thank you all very much for your help the past 12 years. Your help and support has helped make me who I am today and I am looking forward to the party this August at this, our final Rio Blanco County Fair.
