Announcing the 2020 4-H Ontario Ambassadors

 

ROCKWOOD, ONT. – 4-H Ontario is proud to announce the selection of six new Ambassadors who will represent 4-H Ontario across the province in 2020. The following six 4-H youth were selected to fulfill this prestigious role: Faith Emiry (Sudbury) James Gilchrist (Niagara), Caitlyn Kolb (Peel), Jasmine Gillyatt (Brant), Marissa Lester (Lambton), and Lauren Bos (Huron).

 

Over the past 15 years, the 4-H Ontario Ambassador program has provided 4-H youth with training in leadership, citizenship, communications and public relations. The 4-H Ontario Ambassadors will use these skills to recruit new members and share the 4-H story. Ambassadors will attend 4-H Ontario events across the province, and represent 4-H Ontario at community events to promote the 4-H program.

 

“The 4-H Ontario Ambassadors are an integral part to the promotion of 4-H to current and potential volunteers, members and stakeholders by representing the program across the province,” says Marianne Fallis, Senior Manager, Programming, 4-H Ontario. “This year’s new team of Ambassadors will carry on the tradition of exceptional youth who are passionate about sharing the many experiences and opportunities the 4-H Ontario program has to offer.”

 

The 4-H Ontario Ambassador program is sponsored by GROWMARK, Inc. and the Ontario FS Co-operative System. Since the program’s inception in 2005, GROWMARK, Inc. and the Ontario FS Co-operative System have provided Ambassadors with this experience through sponsorship of the program.  

 

 

 

Faith Emiry is a 4-H member from the Sudbury 4-H Association. In her nine years as a 4-H participant, she has completed more than 60 projects, including five as a Youth Leader and attended numerous camps and conferences including Youth Adventure Camp, Leadership Camp, Citizenship Congress and National US Conference. Faith was the recipient of the Vimy pilgrimage Award in 2019 and is currently involved in the Student Federation of the Ontario Agricultural College and the Women In Agriculture Club. Faith is proud to be a 4-H’er because the program is a community where she feels a strong sense of belonging and she feels safe. She says it has given her many of the life skills she has today and she wouldn’t be the same person without her involvement in 4-H.

 

 

James Gilchrist has been a 4-H participant in the Niagara 4-H Association for 10 years. During this time, he has completed more than 25 projects and also participated in 4-H Ontario’s Provincial 4-H Leadership Camp and Future Leaders In Action Camp. He has been a recipient of the Ontario Plowmans Award and the Tricia Vaughn Memorial Award as well as the Niagara North Federation of Agriculture Top Member Award. James credits his passion for the dairy industry to his involvement as a 4-H’er. James is currently working fulltime on a dairy farm while completing as many 4-H projects as he can this year.

 

 

Caitlyn Kolb has been a youth participant in Peel 4-H Association for eight years and she has completed over 60 projects. Among the vast number of projects Caitlyn has completed, she has also put her 4-H knowledge to great use in 4-H’s Go For The Gold competition, and was part of the Champion team in 2018. She is an associate director for the Albion Bolton Agricultural Society and is involved in the College Royal Society at the University of Guelph where she currently studies Molecular Biology and Genetics. Caitlyn is proud to be a 4-H’er because it has given her the opportunity to build her leadership and communication skills, taught her how to break out of her comfort zone and how to learn to do by doing.

 

 

Jasmine Gillyatt is a youth participant in the Brant 4-H Association. Throughout her 10 years as a 4-H participant, she has completed over 67 projects including Spice of Life and Breakfast Bonanza. Jasmine has attended Youth Adventure Camp, and Discovery Days and has been the recipient of the Lifeskills Motto Award. Jasmine is proud to be a 4-H’er because of the opportunities it presents to have youth learn how to do something new and then carry that skill on in their lives. She is looking forward to sharing her enthusiasm for 4-H and all it has to offer with those she meets. 

 

 

Marissa is in her fifth year of 4-H with the Lambton 4-H Association. She has completed seven 4-H projects during her tenue. Marissa is an active member in her community including volunteering with Brigden Fair and the Lambton Cattleman’s Association. She has been recognized through the Academic Honour Society Award, Specialist High Skills Major Agriculture Award and the Don McCabe Scholarship. Marissa is proud to be involved with 4-H because she has gained many new skills and becoming connected to her community. 

 

 

Lauren Bos is from the Huron 4-H Association and has embraced all that 4-H has to offer during her tenure. Lauren is active in the Clinton Figure Skating Club, Huron-Perth Junior Farmers and the Lucknow Agricultural Society.  In 2019, Lauren was the recipient of the Inspiring Women of Huron County award. Lauren is excited to be a 2020 4-H Ontario Ambassador so that she can become more involved in her community in a meaningful way while being a role model to other youth to become part of 4-H no matter their age or interests.