NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
November 24, 1999
4-H Members Attending National 4-H Congress
Five 4-H members from North Dakota are attending the 78th National 4-H
Congress in Atlanta, Ga., from Friday through Tuesday, Nov. 26-30. In total about 1,300
delegates from throughout the United States and its territories are taking part.
The North Dakota delegation includes the following teens:
- Kari Bitz, LaMoure, is the daughter of James and Connie Bitz. She has been active in 4-H
for 11 years. A member of the LaMoure Cloverleaf Club, Kari has been involved in the
LaMoure County Teen Club, as a county ambassador and as a North Dakota 4-H ambassador.
- Julie Kleven, Maddock, the daughter of Oscar and Gloria Kleven, has been a 4-H member
for 10 years. She has been involved in 4-H activities such as project expo, livestock
judging, livestock showmanship, community service projects, and county 4-H project day.
- Jennifer Larson, Hillsboro, is the daughter of Stuart and Kathy Larson. She is an
eight-year 4-H member, a North Dakota 4-H ambassador and a Cloverbud junior leader. As
part of her 4-H involvement, Jennifer has volunteered at day camps, worked with community
beautification and recycling, and taught Character Counts, an educational program based on
six pillars: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
- Bridgette Thomsen, Valley City, is the daughter of Dr. Robert and Ina Thomsen. Bridgette
has been a 4-H member for nine years. She has participated in communication arts, consumer
choice judging, clothing review, food fair, project expo and 4-H international camp. The
Thomsens have hosted two Japanese exchange students.
- Rachel Wohlwend, Lidgerwood, is the daughter of Clayton and Mary Wohlwend. She is a
five-year 4-H member and county 4-H ambassador. She has been active in communication arts,
hippology team and drill team. She is a member of the Sargent Spurs 4-H club and has been
active in their fund-raising effort to benefit St. Jude's Children Hospital.
Alice Bitz of West Fargo is accompanying the delegation to National 4-H Congress as the
adult advisor. She is the administrative secretary for the North Dakota 4-H Foundation and
4-H youth development program at North Dakota State University.
Besides meeting youth from all across the United States, North Dakota's delegation have
the opportunity to visit some prominent Atlanta attractions, such as the Carter
Presidential Library, the Martin Luther King Center for Non-violent Change and Centennial
Olympic Park. Keynote speakers scheduled for the 78th National 4-H Congress
include Scot Hollonbeck, Paralympic gold medalist, Ted Turner, vice chairman of Time
Warner Inc., and Heather Renee French, Miss America.
4-H is the youth development program of the NDSU Extension Service. Delegates to
National 4-H Congress are sponsored by the North Dakota 4-H Foundation. The North Dakota
4-H Foundation receives support from individuals, 4-H clubs, businesses, and organizations
that believe youth and the 4-H program as a valuable youth development organization.
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Source: Dean Aakre (701) 231-8595
Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136