4-H Alberta Magazine - 2019-20 Fall & Winter Edition

4-H ALBERTA MAGAZINE // 4H.AB.CA
THE BENEFITS
SPEAK FOR
THEMSELVES
By: Adriana Van Tryp
As I write this article I am sitting in a car
traveling across Argentina...
I am in Argentina as a delegate for 4-H
Canada’s Going Global Exchanges Program.
Over the past three weeks I visited four
different 4-H clubs and attended 4-H camp.
In each instance I iterated the benefits of 4-H
and how it personally impacts me.
While in Argentina, I am expounding my
experiences as a member and ambassador
within 4-H. My hope is that by sharing
my benefits of staying involved in 4-H it
will motivate others to think twice before
discontinuing with this amazing program.
Travel: In 2018 I was selected as a Northwest
Territories Agriculture Development Tour
delegate by attending the 4-H Alberta
Selections program.
This year, 2019, I applied and went through
an interview process that allowed me to
travel to Argentina for three weeks with 4-H
Canada’s Going Global Exchanges.
Ambassadorship: I have always had a
passion for 4-H. The 4-H program has been
apart of my life for more years than not. As
a 4-H Alberta Ambassador I get to advocate
for a program I love, meet and network with
new people and attend exemplary events.
Resume/Applications: I created resumes
for scholarships, travel opportunities,
to gain membership on boards and in
my applications to universities last year.
Organizations and individuals told me it
helped me stand out from other applicants.
Institutions are aware that 4-H builds public
speaking and teamwork skills, how to run a
proper business meeting, networking and
interaction skills.
Scholarships/Money: Post secondary
education is not cheap. Through 4-H I
received District, Regional and Provincial
Scholarships. I am grateful as it allowed
University to be more cost manageable.
University: In September, I start my
second year of University. 4-H proved to
be an exceedingly valuable skill in my first
year. I gained an irreplaceable network of
peers. I was unafraid to say hello to the
person beside me or in joining a new club.
Presenting in class was simple because I
had done it so many other times in 4-H. In
one specific instance, when applying for the
Alumni Relations Officer in CERES Women’s
Fraternity, I used 4-H as the main reason I
would excel. •
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