OREGON, Ill.- Five Ogle County 4-H members are new Ogle County 4-H Ambassadors for the 2022-2023 4-H year. They include Elizabeth Armbruster, Oregon; Trent Heller, Dixon; Grant Johnson, Forreston; Gracie Prose, Oregon; and Molly Ziegler, Oregon. All five members completed a rigorous application and interview process that screened candidates for leadership abilities, 4-H expertise, and communication skills. As 4-H Ambassadors, this team will represent the county 4-H program at various events and activities in Ogle County throughout the 4-H year.
Elizabeth Armbruster is a first-year 4-H Ambassador and a four-year Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club member. Elizabeth’s main project area is Interior Design. Elizabeth has helped her Club with community service projects, such as helping at the nursing home by playing music, singing, and pulling weeds. “Knowledge is a valuable asset, and 4-H has given me, as a child, reason to pursue knowledge. I am so glad I joined 4-H and will be sad when I become too old,” says Elizabeth.
Trent Heller is a first-year 4-H Ambassador and an eight-year Grand Detour Greens 4-H Club member. He is serving as the Federation Treasurer, and his main project areas are poultry and woodworking. Trent is the Key Club President at school, on the student council and choir, a LEAD representative, National Honor Society Member, and FCS Key Club most service hours. He is on the basketball, volleyball, and soccer teams and is a member of the trap shooting team. Trent shared that the connection to people through the years, the ability to serve and help people, and overall development have helped him develop and work towards his future goals.
Grant Johnson is a first-year 4-H Ambassador and an eleven-year Leaf River Soaring Eagles 4-H Club member. Grant’s main project areas are poultry and welding. He is the reporter of his 4-H Club and the chairman of the Leaf River Christmas Light Parade committee. He has participated in the Ogle County 4-H Horse Bowl and Hippology Team. At school, Grant is on the servant leader organization and academic team, plays basketball and football, and participates on the trap shooting team. He has volunteered at the Children’s Farm at the Ogle County Fair and helped set up, tear down, and work the farm daily during the fair. He has earned many awards with 4-H, including Grand Champion in welding, and qualified for judging at the Illinois State Fair. Grant commented, “I have learned how to have confidence in doing all things. I have gained friends as a 4-H member and learned to work together as a team.”
Gracie Prose is a second-year 4-H Ambassador and a ten-year member of the Carefree 4-H Club. Gracie’s major project area is Leadership. Gracie has been her club secretary for four years and a member of the Ogle County 4-H Federation, where she currently is the President. Gracie has also taken her leadership roles to the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team, where she is the co-social chairman. At school, Gracie is an active student council member, serving as the community service chairman for two years. She is on the volleyball team, soccer team, and band. She has participated in numerous community service projects that show how willing she is to give back to her community. Gracie shared that “4-H has not only helped me gain leadership and communication skills, but friendships as well. 4-H has opened many doors for opportunities that I would’ve never thought were available to me. I have gained great life lessons along with valuable leadership skills that I can carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Molly Ziegler is a first-year 4-H Ambassador and an eight-year member of the Carefree 4-H Club. Molly’s main project areas are Dogs and Horses. Molly has served as her club reporter for two years. She participates in FFA and serves on the building communities committee. Molly has participated in many community services, such as volunteering at Pegasus Special Riders, Kids and K9s 4-H Club, and the FFA Christmas tree sales. She earned the Miss Mal Award, awarded to a student with notable leadership skills. Molly says that “4-H has opened the door to opportunities in dog and horse training that has led to successes in both areas. It has allowed me to grow in my leadership and education and has allowed me opportunities to share my knowledge with other young people.”
Elizabeth, Trent, Grant, Gracie, and Molly began their Ambassador work for 4-H in late September. They were recently honored at the county 4-H Achievement Celebration on November 13. All look forward to a busy year, including promoting 4-H in local parades, conducting classroom presentations, and staffing displays at community events.
4-H is the Positive Youth Development program of University of Illinois Extension. For information about membership and volunteer opportunities, contact the Ogle County Extension office at 815-732-2191 or visit online at https://extension.illinois.edu/bdo.
The 4-H year is starting now! If you have been thinking about getting involved, now is the perfect time to do so!
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