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| Spotlight on Youth - March 3, 2010 |
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MSU student named 2010 Michigan Dairy Ambassador
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University (MSU) student Melissa Erdman of Minden City was named the 2010 senior division winner of the Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program during the Michigan Dairy Industry Recognition Night awards program at the eighth annual Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference (GLRDC) in February.
Erdman, the daughter of Mike and Vicky Erdman, is a student in the MSU Production Medicine Scholars Program. She plans to continue her education in the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and become a large animal veterinarian. As the Senior Dairy Ambassador, Erdman hopes to educate more consumers about the dairy industry.
“Knowledge is the most useful key to reminding consumers why we need agriculture and the dairy industry,” Erdman said. “Giving the people the knowledge and ability to make up their own minds is important. We need to listen to the different concerns consumers may have and help them realize that the media is not always providing them with the facts when they’re reporting news stories.”
The Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program was established by the GLRDC in 2006. The program provides future young dairy leaders with an opportunity to develop promotions and public service projects as well as represent the dairy industry at various functions throughout the year.
The senior division winner, reserved for college students up to age 22, receives a $1,500 scholarship. The junior division winner, a high school student, is awarded a $1,000 prize that can be applied toward higher education or the purchase of a dairy animal.
Erdman will team up with MSU classmate Olivia DeVooght, who was picked as the first runner-up and the alternate in the senior division. DeVooght is pursuing a double major in animal science and marketing. She is the daughter of Bill and Mary DeVooght of Marquette.
Sarah Michalek, a senior at Deckerville High School, is the 2010 Junior Dairy Ambassador. She is the daughter of Thomas and Lucinda Michalek. Amanda Carey from Morley and Emily DeVooght from Marquette were picked as the first runners-up in the junior division.
Applications for the 2011 program will be available in the fall. Individuals interested in applying for the Michigan Dairy Ambassador Scholarship and Leadership Program can learn more by visiting www.glrdc.msu.edu/
Illinois 4-H youth debate issues at state capital
URBANA, Ill. — Advertising prescription drugs, requiring physical education in schools, and prohibiting the use of technology that disables cellular devices in schools were among the issues debated by 52 high school youth on the House Floor during the 4-H Great Debate on Feb. 12 and 13 at the state capital in Springfield, Ill.
During the two-day event, 4-H youth learned about persuasive speaking, elements of a good debate and the legislative process. They were also able to debate six mock bills in the Illinois House of Representatives. “It was interesting and an experience that doesn’t happen every day,” said Aleska Barkoviak of Homespun and Stylistics 4-H Club in McLean County.
The teens identified the legislative process and debating as the life skills they learned and had an opportunity to practice during the event. Mike Heathcoat of the Sunset Spurs 4-H Club in Franklin County said, “This process is important. Bills that sound good at first may turn out to hurt people and places.” Amalia Dolan from the Dreamcatchers 4-H Club in Champaign County said, “I have more respect for legislators and their work.”
In 4-H, youth learn by doing. The 4-H Great Debate provided youth with the opportunity to learn about how Illinois state government works to research, introduce, debate and pass legislation. According to Judy Taylor, University of Illinois Extension youth development educator, “We think that there is no challenge more important than preparing our young people for actively participating in our democracy. U of I Extension 4-H programs meet this challenge in a fun, action-oriented and practical manner.”
For more information about 4-H in Illinois, visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h |
| 3/3/2010 |
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