4-H...It's more than you ever imagined!Growing up in a small town didn't keep Yvonne Dehmer from becoming a success. Not only did she win the 1994 Miss Montana crown, but she took a Top-10 slot in the Miss America pageant, as well. She attributes much of her success to 4-H, where she learned to create clothing and fashions, as well as how to work under pressure and perform in the public eye. Yvonne has used her Miss Montana traveling opportunities to speak out about elder abuse and education. Chad Stanford of the Bitterfoot Bears 4-H Club is one of six teens, including two 4-H'ers, on a 26-member board that is matching community needs with volunteers willing to help meet those needs.
Funded with a $12,000 "Getting Things Done" grant, Ravalli County 4-H'ers and other students are tackling such projects as building a bicycle path, planting flowers at the fairgrounds and rebuilding a fire-damaged town hall. Shawna Burgmaier of Power used the sewing skills she learned in 4-H to earn an all-expenses paid trip to New York City from Mc'Call's Pattern Company. Now studying to be a teacher, she envisions incorporating her sewing know-how into her classroom curriculum.
Mardi Linhart of Hobson used a Department of Agriculture loan to purchase her first Angus cows at age 11 -- since then, she's become Montana's Angus Queen, one of six national 4-H beef winners, and a livestock showman in high demand as well as a prominent figure in the Angus world.
Jennifer Downer of Molt was inspired by a cousin in 4-H to try photography. She's since become a 4-H state photography champion, and has sold her own color-photo calendars. She is now in college, and someday she'd like to photograph professionally.
Did You Know Montana 4-H'ers...
4-H Opens Your Eyes...
Danawn Klassen of Great Falls didn't know what to expect when she began leading a 4-H club for visually impaired students at the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. After four years of weekly visits, Danawn has learned many lessons from the 4-H'ers, among them how to be more lighthearted and keep life in perspective, and above all, how to respect the value of community.
"Just watching them, I learned how much people depend on each other. They have so much faith in each other. I don't see that very often at high school."
"Competition is an art. In 4-H I learned to be creative and I learned to compete."
4-H'ers Learn By Doing...
Teton County 4-H'er Scott Kesler was just 11 years old when he got a bank loan to buy pigs for his 4-H swine project. Having never raised swine before, Scott taught himself how to feed, care for and show the pigs. Scott's efforts and hours paid off: he won first place in showmanship at the fair and made enough money from the sale of his pigs to pay back the bank.
"With the activities, projects and community services that we do...we get the knowledge to make choices, deal with other people, become good leaders and other useful things that can help us get ready for our future."
"It can be a lot of work, but it can also be a lot of fun. It gives you the chance to work with other people and see how things are being done in other areas -- and it gives you a chance to get involved in your community."
4-H Gives You Skills for a Lifetime...
If this sounds like the group for you, head back to our Montana 4-H home page!