Featured far right in the back row is Quinn Nelson of Morrin, Alta. Also shown from l-r: Back row: Dawson Pahl, Odessa Kopp, Kelsey Haggerty, Wylie Pietsch, Heather Taylor, Jamie Kuzma. Front row: Sarah Tkach, Nicole Kraus, Haley Dechaine, Makayla Chamzuk, Emmett Sawyer, Jaycee Reimer, and Alyssa Henderson.

Quinn Nelson of the Morrin Multi 4-H Club was named one of two East Central ambassadors on May 8, 2017 in Olds at 4-H selections.

Nelson was also selected for the Premier’s Award (PA) group during the four-day event. To become a PA group member, means the recipient has the possibility of winning the most prestigious award 4-H has to offer; the Premier's Award.

This year, Alyssa Henderson of Bashaw, Alta., was the PA recipient.

4-H is an internationally recognized youth agriculture program with multiple different aspects like events, projects, meetings, camps, and exchanges.

Selections is one of the many highlights in a senior members 4-H career. This event determines who has the ability, commitment, and positive personality that embodies the 4-H spirit to continue to represent the worldwide program.

This years theme was ‘Marketing Me’ where small groups focused on cover letters, resumes and business skills for when they are out of the house.

“It’s a great opportunity – really beneficial for those who attend,” said Horner.

An ambassadorship consists of two years of planning and attending events, being available for questions, and provide a positive outlook while simultaneously representing the 4-H world.

“We always have a good set of ambassadors – they always do a good job,” said Horner.

As well as ambassadorship, members are eligible to win national and North American trips based on their attendance, evaluations, quiz, and diary points.

In order to win, Selections has a process where members are divided into small groups and evaluated by peers and supervisors. Games and leadership activities are apart of the camp and also team building exercises, presentations, and resume evaluations.

“Their recognized for their leadership, communications, and development skills so that is what they have to be in order to be a successful ambassador,” said 4-H communications specialist Cameron Horner.

On the Monday morning, the trips, ambassadorships, Premier Award (PA) group, and PA recipient are announced during a special breakfast with agricultural dignitaries.

In addition to ambassadorship, Nelson will be embarking on the Northwest Territories agriculture and development tour alongside 22 other 4-H members this summer from July 20 to July 30. Gleichen local Jourdyn Sammons will also be on the trip as one of those 22 members.

Patrick Kolafa
The Drumheller Mail

    Young artists have found an exciting way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of   Canada.
    

Many in the community may have noticed art installations throughout the community. These are works of Greentree school students who have been busy applying skills and learning about Canadian art.
    Art teacher at Greentree School, Regan Burfield, explains she was planning a lesson for her Grade 6 students inspired by Canadian artists, but then opened the project up to the whole school.
    “We have art inspired by Ted Harrison, Emily Carr, Lawren Harris, Tom Thompson and Maud Lewis,” she said. “My original idea was to have 150 pieces of art to display, but as art projects started coming in, I realized I couldn’t limit the number of projects we displayed because everything I was getting was so fantastic. I wanted people in and around Drumheller to see what talented students we have, and that is where the idea of displaying the art around town came into play.
    She said the community didn’t hesitate to jump on board.
    “We have wonderful businesses here in Drumheller that were so supportive of the idea, and I love the idea of people getting excited about visiting different places in our community to see what the students have been working on. I hope that people will support these local businesses that have supported Greentree students,” she said.
    It has been a learning experience for the students.

    “The elementary art curriculum puts an emphasis on the act of creation, the idea that whether they are in Kindergarten or Grade 6, every child is an artist, and every piece of art has a story to tell.  I wanted to make the art of well-known Canadian artists accessible to the students, as well as people in the community.
    Art is being displayed at Freson Bros, Boston Pizza, Shoppers Drug Mart, Ivy’s Awesome Kitchen & Bistro, 3rd Avenue Arts, Badlands Art Gallery, Drumheller Public Library, Bold Efexx and CC’s Closet.  It will remain up for the month of May, and some businesses may choose to display it through June as well.
 She explains they have launched an art gallery scavenger hunt for students.
    “The idea is to have kids and their families getting out together around Drumheller to see the art, to learn a little about Canadian artists, and to (hopefully) pop into a store or restaurant they haven’t been to in awhile and see what our town has to offer.  If the students complete their ballot, they can bring it back to the school to be entered into a draw for one of three “Dinner and a Movie” prize packs, sponsored by Water Pure & Simple and Boston Pizza.”