Editor's Note: The following is our latest 4-H Member of the Month, sponsored by Nelson Motors and Equipment. We thank Nelson Motors for their continued support of this initiative, and we salute 4-H for continuing to make a difference in the lives of young people.
4-H Member of the Month: Laura Christensen
Club: Alameda 4-H Beef Club
Age: 16
Age group: Senior
Laura Christensen says she never could have imagined the opportunities that would have been created when she joined the Alameda 4-H Beef Club more than a decade ago.
Christensen is a 16-year-old senior in her 12th year of 4-H. She joined the organization because she grew up on a farm and she always loved cattle. Her older sisters were members, and according to Christensen, "it always seemed like so much fun". Both of her parents were members as well.
"I think 4-H gives you lots of great opportunities," said Christensen.
Later this month, she is scheduled to travel to Calgary for a 4-H members' forum. It gives members the opportunity to talk to people in different fields and learn more about leadership.
And she is scheduled to go to Ireland with 4-H Canada next May. The national organization promoted the opportunity and she applied. Christensen isn't sure what will happen, but she has a good idea.
"I think we're going to tour some companies and farms," she said.
Christensen has also attended provincial public speaking and curling competitions through 4-H. And she has learned a lot about cattle. She has attended her region's show and sale in the past.
Christensen has been named the club's member, and she won the Larry Rutten Memorial Award, which is voted on by the club's members for the person they believe helped out the most.
The Alameda 4-H Club is great to be part of, she said, because it teaches members about beef and so much more.
"It can also teach you about public speaking and record books," she said. "We get different companies."