| Utah
4-H ambassadorship a family affair
By Lisa Rose Woodworth
Rose Park in Salt Lake City has a
crowd of 4-H members, among those -- the Kranendonk
family.
The State 4-H Ambassador program,
headquartered from Utah State University Cooperative
Extension, was a natural fit for Amelia Kranendonk;
the fourth of her siblings to hold this state recognized
leadership position. The decision to be involved in
4-H and become a state ambassador was easy -- it is
a family tradition. As all of her older sisters were
state ambassadors, she observed their experiences with
envy. This last year she served with her sister, Molly.
Now she is in her sisters’ shoes, applying for her second
year.
"4-H gives me an excuse
to sit down with my children," Vicki Kranendonk,
mother of Amelia, said. "Every project becomes
a family project."
She said that since she involved
her seven children in 4-H, their participation has exploded.
She and her husband, Kevin, have served on the Salt
Lake County camp committee for 10 years and once had
their own chapter. Four of their children have been
state 4-H ambassadors and their daughter Emily is currently
the president of the collegiate 4-H chapter at Utah
State University.
John Paul Murphy, USU Extension 4-H
youth development specialist, said that the State 4-H
Ambassador youths have a responsibility to promote 4-H
when they are selected. Murphy has been the advisor
of Utah’s state 4-H ambassador program since he started
it in 1980. He said that visiting a public official
is only part of a lengthy six-month application process,
which the younger Kranendonk needs to pass a second
time.
"Some go to the dog catchers
and some to the mayors," said Murphy. "It’s
all part of the selection process."
For her second-term application,
the younger Kranendonk chose to go to the mayor. She
most recently shared homemade cookies and thanked Salt
Lake County Mayor Peter Carroon.
The 4-H Ambassador’s role is a hefty
responsibility, said Murphy. They represent and promote
4-H, encourage financial support and help organize and
conduct events. Each year, four to 10 high-school-age
youths are chosen as state ambassadors and able to develop
personal leadership skills.
"Being in 4-H has helped
me develop myself," the younger Kranendonk said.
"I am able to accomplish things and be around people
like me."
She said she has made countless friends
through 4-H and appreciates that people get along even
though they compete against each other. She also said
that her experiences as an ambassador and a member are
invaluable. Most recently her life-skills team took
third place at the National 4-H Contest in Denver.
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