Emma Lees grateful for opportunities 4-H has created

Editor's note: This article is the latest in our 4-H Member of the Month series, sponsored by Nelson Motors. Thanks to Nelson Motors for supporting these articles, and thanks to 4-H clubs for all they do for young people. 

Name: Emma Lees

Club: Arcola-Kisbey 4-H Beef Club

Age: 17

Age group: senior

Years experience: 11

Emma Lees has had a very enjoyable time as a member of the Arcola-Kisbey 4-H Beef Club.

Lees, a senior member of the club who has been part of 4-H since 2010, said she appreciates all of the different skills she has been able to learn, which will help her in the future.

“You get to learn a lot of diverse skills, make friends … gain leadership and communication skills,” said Lees. “You get to work on yourself and get to be a part of a club as well. You’re looking out for everyone as well as yourself.”

Lees grew up on a cattle farm near Arcola. When she started in 4-H in 2010, it was something for her to do. She didn’t believe she would become so attached.

“I’m really glad I started, because it’s now the biggest part of my life, and one that influenced me to go off and do something in the future with this industry,” said Lees.

She will attend the University of Saskatchewan in the fall to study business, and hopes to major in marketing. Then she hopes to work in the agriculture industry.

In 2019, she had the grand champion steer at the Weyburn Regional 4-H Show. Two years earlier, she won the grand champion female at the show.

“There are probably 200 head (of cattle) you have to sort through (at the show), so that was a really big accomplishment to have (one of) the top five there,” said Lees.

In the 4-H speaking competitions, she has been to provincials once and districts five times.

And she has done well in grooming, judging and showmanship.

Lees highly recommends 4-H to others, because of the things she has learned and the people she has met.

Not only has 4-H created opportunities she wouldn’t have had otherwise, but it has taught her to be herself and to do what she wants. Lees can be part of 4-H after she graduates high school this month and won’t age out until she’s 21, and once she’s finished, Lees plans to remain part of the organization and contribute back to the club as much as she can.

“It’s been a part of my whole entire life and has influenced me a lot, so to give back to the community in that way, I would like to be part of that somehow,” she said.