Crossfield-Madden Beef Club 4-H member, Miranda Ross, is eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring 2013.
That’s because the 17-year-old, who lives on a farm near Crossfield, was recently awarded a trip to the National 4-H Citizenship Seminar, taking place in Ottawa next April.
The decision was made at Alberta Selections weekend, an event that attracted 100 4-H members ages 16 and older. Over the course of the weekend, which took place in Olds from April 27 to 30, 50 members from around the province were awarded a variety of trips.
“I knew a lot of people there were really good with 4-H,” said Ross, who was the only member of her club to attend selections. “I was kind of hoping I was going to win a trip, but when I did I was ecstatic.”
Ross, along with seven other Alberta 4-H delegates, will join members from across Canada in learning about governance, Parliamentary procedures, citizenship and politics while visiting Parliament and touring the city of Ottawa.
It’s the first trip the Grade 12 Olds High School student has ever been awarded during her nine-year 4-H career.
Ross has spent the last nine years of her life living on the farm, where her family raises Charolais and paint horses.
This year, the teen raised a Charolais cow/calf pair, heifer and Black Angus steer, which she recently showed at 4-H on Parade on the first weekend of June at the Calgary Stampede grounds.
Ross said the event was successful, with a high return on her animals, which were sold during the annual wrap-up event.
Ross, who will be studying science and education at the University of Lethbridge this fall, said she has enjoyed her 4-H experience.
“There are a lot of things to love about 4-H,” said Ross.
“It just gives you so many opportunities to do things that will help you throughout your entire life.”
During her years with the organization, Ross said she has learned business skills, such as record-keeping and budgeting, leadership skills and communications skills like public speaking and creating presentations.
She has also participated in judging multiple species of animals and has developed a vast array of friends from around the province.
Ross said earning the trip was an achievement that took many years of accumulating points for projects, volunteering and attending 4-H activities. This year Ross will also earn her platinum award in recognition of her project work, leadership and community service achievements throughout her career in the organization.
“It took a lot of effort,” she said.
“It is definitely a worthwhile program, it teaches you so much and gives you life-long friends. There is nothing negative about (4-H).”
