Member Spotlights

Ellen, Stanislaus County

Ellen, Ceres 4-H, Stanislaus County

Spotlight-Ellen Twelve-year-old Ellen joined 4-H because she felt it would help her when applying to college.  However, Ellen quickly learned that 4-H is much more than just a line on her resume.  Ellen joined the swine project and immediately fell in love with her new pigs!  Her pigs have been very successful, and her goal for next year is to show them at fairs.  Ellen would like to sell her pigs and make a profit.  She wants to pay back her parents and save some money for college.  Ellen thanks her swine project leader and his son for helping her.

4-H has equipped Ellen with many new skills.  “Before 4-H, I could barely talk to a crowd of 20 people and now I am performing in a play of an audience of over 100 people!” exclaims Ellen.  Her leadership skills have grown alongside her public speaking skills.  Ellen has learned that everyone can be a leader by simply volunteering to help: “It is so easy!”  She has also helped her club with some community service projects, such as a cake auction.  Ellen wishes that she had been more involved this year, so she plans to dive into next year’s activities!

Author: Megan Reese, State 4-H Office Student Assistant, mereese@ucdavis.edu