New ambassadors from left to right: Forrest Sears, Wheatland; Marit Ellingson, Dahlen; Aidan Sears, Wheatland; Alyssa Thomsen, Valley City; Grady Hornung, Walhalla; Kiley Kvamme, Kindred; Taiton Axtman, Fargo; and Wyatt Dunlop, Rolla
FARGO, N.D. (NDSU Extension) – Eight youth have been selected to join the North Dakota 4-H Ambassador program.
The North Dakota State 4-H Ambassadors is a group of young adults from across North Dakota who are actively involved in 4-H. They coordinate many activities that involve teaching youth and adults about topics such as leadership, team work and citizenship.
The new team members are:
- Marit Ellingson, Walsh County, Dakota Prairie High School
- Wyatt Dunlop, Rollete County, Rolla Mt. Pleasant School
- Forrest Sears, Cass County, Central Cass High School
- Grady Hornung, Pembina County, North Border Walhalla High School
- Aidan Sears, Cass County, Central Cass High School
- Alyssa Thomsen, Barnes County, Valley City High School
- Kiley Kvamme, Cass County, Kindred High School
- Taiton Axtman, Cass County, Davies High School
The 4-H Ambassadors specialize in planning and facilitating 4-H events, such as the annual statewide Extension Youth Conference (EYC), workshops, training sessions and regional events. They strive to create events that are fun, educational and skill building, and promote self-improvement. They also are active volunteers for 4-H programs in every North Dakota county.
After another year of COVID-19, the 4-H Ambassadors held their annual selections event in person this year. The event took place during the Ambassadors’ fall retreat at the North Dakota 4-H Camp in Washburn. This event was run by selection co-chairs Tucker Regner from Cavalier County and Brianna Mohs from Cass County.
“Our elections co-chairs did a great job and provided a positive and engaging experience for youth running to become an Ambassador,” says Hannah Nordby, 4-H Ambassadors co-adviser and North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension agent in Adams County.
“Running this event was a very fun time, and I learned so much about facilitating a large event,” says Regner “Our candidates were absolutely amazing and really made this a fun day.”
The election process begins with candidates completing an application and providing references.
“Once the application is received in the state 4-H office, then candidates must commit to the selection interview process,” says Sue Quamme, North Dakota 4-H Ambassadors co-adviser. “They must attend in person, where they participate in various events that include a formal interview, informal interview, problem solving event and a group project.”
“I joined the Ambies [Ambassadors] because I saw how much fun they were having at EYC,” says Hornung. “It seemed like everyone there valued 4-H and were very serious about it. I felt the same way and had join.”
Former 4-H’ers and Ambassadors helped with the judging process.
“Judging Selections as an Ambassador was a very rewarding experience,” says Raquel Bata, current 4-H Ambassador. “I was able to meet wonderful individuals and watch them exhibit their leadership, communication, and personable skills. Selecting new ambassadors is an exciting process, and I know the newly selected ambassadors are all going to do great things in the program.”
For more information about the 4-H Ambassador program, contact the Extension office in your county or visit the North Dakota 4-H Youth Development website at https://www.ndsu.edu/