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The State 4-H Ambassador Program strives to develop the minds of young people by increasing and promoting leadership activities through 4-H. Through participation in the State 4-H Ambassador Program, teens will function as a positive role model for youth in South Dakota, while serving to support the 4-H program through public relations. State 4-H Ambassadors will strive for continued improvement of the 4-H program by serving as an agent of change. Additionally, these individuals will promote inclusion and respect for diversity across 4-H in South Dakota. While this position is a service to 4-H, young people selected will have a year of opportunity to grow in their leadership, life, social, and workforce skills. This will be accomplished through a series of trainings and partnerships with caring adults. This program is a way for our young people to not only develop their leadership skills, but also hone their career readiness skills. It is preparing them for that first formal job interview they will likely participate in during young adulthood. Objectives for State Ambassadors Include: • Prepare individuals for roles as leaders, mentors and problem solvers • Enhance skills in communication, public speaking and critical thinking • Focus on foundational life skills • Develop skills to prepare them for future career opportunities • Provide positive youthadult partnerships Roles of being a State Ambassador include: • Serve to support the 4-H Program through public relations • Function as a positive role model for youth in South Dakota • Abide by South Dakota 4-H code of conduct both during and outside of 4-H events • Continually strive for improvement by serving as an agent of change • Promote inclusion and respect for diversity across 4-H • Utilize skills and knowledge gained through 4-H to engage youth in educational activities • Proactively engage in youth-adult partnerships All applicants were required to submit an application, personal narrative, and three letters of recommendation in order to even receive an invitation to interview. The interview is conducted by State 4-H Ambassador Program staff and a panel of judges. The applicants are required to answer a series of questions that assist the judges in determining whether the candidate would be ideal for the position. Throughout their term, Tarynn Torsney, Brock Kotalik and Sophia Schott will be expected to be a champion for South Dakota 4-H, helping county and state 4-H professionals promote and elevate the 4-H brand. This will include facilitating educational outreach opportunities, attending state 4-H events, and meeting with elected officials. Meet your 2023 State 4-H Ambassadors from Bon Homme County My name is Tarynn Torsney, I live 5 miles outside of Tyndall and I am 16 years old. I have been in 4-H for 8 years and I have been involved in 4-H since I was 7 years old. I went to horse practice with my mom because she was the leader of the horse club and I have ridden ever since. I am active in the Tyndall Clever Clovers 4-H Club, Horse Power and the Bon Homme County 4-H Jr. Leaders. I love getting together to make crafts with friends and presenting them at Achievement Days. I have grown my leadership skills by being the president of the Tyndall Clever Clovers as well as being on the committee for fundraising. I am proud to have interviewed to be a state ambassador and to be accepted. I can now represent Bon Homme County 4-H at the state level. I will continue to grow my leadership skills while being an ambassador by working on my public speaking and promoting 4-H to the public. I am 17-year-old Brock Kotalik from Tabor. I began my 4-H career as a 5 year-old CloverBud. The moment I turned 8 years old, I signed up to be a 4-H member. I have been an active member of the Bon Homme County 4-H program for the past 12 years. I am currently the President of the Tabor Pioneers Club and the Vice President of the Junior Leaders Club. I belong to two special interest clubs: Bon Homme County Horse Power and Bon Homme County Shooting Sports. Since I participate in a wide range of activities, I have taken “the sky's the limit” attitude with my 4-H involvement. From showing livestock, which includes cattle, hogs, and horses to creating crafts, baking goodies, and taking several photos. My projects have been on display at our local Achievement Days as well as the South Dakota State Fair. I enjoy participating in the Youth in Action contests such as: Public Speaking, Fashion Revue, consumer decision making, livestock judging, and horse judging. The 4H program has helped me build decision-making skills, it has given me confidence to be a leader, and it has given me the opportunity to connect with other youth across the state as well as the nation. During 2023, I have had the opportunity to attend two national 4H events. In January, I was 1 of 4 South Dakota youth on the horse judging team that competed at the Western National Round Up in Denver Colorado. I spent one week in June on the Citizenship of Washington Focus (CWF) trip. I had the chance to explore several museums and monuments in and around Washington D.C. Almost 150 youth from five different states attend CWF the same week. Delegations split up into committees, which focus on four main points: communication, government, open mindsets, and responsibility. I want to be a positive advocate for the South Dakota 4H program, so I became a State 4H Ambassador. I would like to see continued improvement of the 4H program at the local, state, and national level. I want everyone to enjoy 4H but also realize what goes into 4H beyond the show ring. My name is Sophie Schott and I live in Scotland. I am 15 years old and a senior in 4-H. I have been in 4-H for 5 years and I have been very active within those years. I am an active member of the rabbit and poultry club. I serve as secretary for both the Tabor Pioneers and the Bon Homme County Junior Leaders. I showed a bottle calf for the first time this year. I also tried public presentation this year. I have also enjoyed making static projects every year as well as photography. Over the years, my leadership skills have grown a lot. I have helped the younger members of the rabbit and poultry club. I helped put on the Rabbit and Poultry Fun Show in 2022. I have learned how to be a good member of a committee as well as how to be a good officer of a club. I decided I wanted to become a State 4-H Ambassador when I went to Teen Leadership Conference for the first time. I didn’t know that State 4-H ambassadors existed before that and after spending a week with the wonderful ambassador team that year, I knew I wanted to become one. I am excited for this year and being an ambassador. I hope I can help delegates at SkillsX (formally Teen Leadership Conference) as well as improve my leadership skills. To learn more about the State 4-H Ambassador program, visit https://extension.sdstate.edu/state-4-h-ambassador-program.