Editor's note: this is the latest installment of our 4-H Member of the Month, sponsored by Nelson Motors and Equipment. We thank Nelson Motors and Equipment for their continued support, and we salute 4-H for the difference it makes in young people's lives.
Name: Keara Christensen
Club: Browning 4-H Club
Years in 4-H: 11
Age group: Senior
The 11 years that Keara Christensen has put into 4-H have been thoroughly enjoyable.
Christensen is in her final year as a member of the Browning 4-H Club. She has met people she wouldn’t have encountered otherwise, made new friends, had great experiences and has put in a lot of time with her animals.
“It all just comes together at the end of the year (at the annual sale) and it’s just a huge relief and a payoff,” said Christensen.
She’s happy to spend time in the barn with her animals.
“They’re different every year, so it’s always a new challenge that I get to do,” she said.
Getting to work with the younger members of the club has also been rewarding. There are a lot of young members, especially this year, and since it’s a multiple club, they have different projects on the go.
Christensen advanced to provincial curling events a couple of years, and she has remained in touch with some of the people she met at the banquets and elsewhere.
The 4-H movement has allowed her to take part in numerous public speaking competitions, and she has volunteered at the club and district level.
Christensen joined 4-H because both of her parents have been involved with it, as was her sister. She remained because she enjoyed it so much, and she learned many new things.
She would recommend the 4-H experience to others, and she hopes to remain involved with the club in some fashion.
“I was asked to come back and help both my club and another club … so I’m hoping to come back for the show and sale next year and help out,” she said.