It’s hard to believe three weeks have already flown
by and it is my turn to provide an update again! Looking back it doesn’t seem
possible that I have accomplished everything I have. Given the proper resources and
efficient execution, I have managed to visit 11 achievement days, East &
West Central Regional Heifer Show and six schools in the last two months.
I cannot reinforce how much I have loved being
in the classrooms. Not only have I enjoyed developing the presentations
themselves but seeing the interest from children who know little to nothing about
cattle or 4-H is uplifting. Through my visits I have had the opportunity to
tell students about my involvement which has always been such a huge part of
who I am and have grown up to be. I wish to thank Forestburg School for
inviting me back to talk to some of the younger and older students as well as
Amisk, Hughendon and Crossfield who were so welcoming and asked so many excellent
questions. I wish to encourage all our Juniors to keep sharing with their
classmates and friends about all the opportunities 4-H and the CJAA have
provided them.
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| Keely Adams on the halter of her steer in the Champion Junior Showmanship class at Flagstaff District Achievement Day. |
This opportunity to talk to Junior members as
well as students has helped me solidify my career choice as an elementary
school teacher. I have talked to kids from age 5 to 15 and through this
I have been enthralled in the younger classrooms and cleaver kids. The plain
innocence and interest these children have in everything someone may tell them
or ask them is so rewarding. It goes without saying that some of the comments I
have received need time to process, as there is not much thought before
sharing. I adore how excited a seven year old is when they remember how many
stomachs a cow has. I will never forget the girl who would have told me about
Rosie the whole 40-minute presentation if her teacher would have allowed it.
These experiences have been huge for me as I have been making many contacts and
having practical experience in numerous classrooms. Not to mention that I have
had a teacher encourage me to apply for my practicum at their school.
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| CJAA members Ty and Gus Dietrich proudly exhibit their Angus females as 4-H projects. |
I have completed my adventures to 4-H
achievement days at this point and it is really great to see the enthusiasm of
our youth in Alberta. I have had the chance to judge at many of the shows as
well as ring and even become official photographer at my home achievement day
of Flagstaff. I am thankful for these opportunities to give back to a program
which was a big part of how I grew up. The benefits of programs like 4-H and
the Canadian Junior Angus Association are an asset to our young agriculture
advocates' success and as CAA members we are proud of these Juniors'
accomplishments.
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| A ring full of purebred Canadian Red Angus at Flagstaff Achievement Day; what a sweet view. |
There are some Juniors that I would like to thank
especially for their utilization and promotion of Canadian Angus genetics
including Keely Adams who won Flagstaff Achievement Day Champion Female with
her cow/calf pair, and Tyler Dietrich who followed with Reserve Champion Female
with his cow/calf pair. In fact, the whole female championship class for this
district were projects exhibited by Canadian Angus Juniors as Keely’s heifer
won the district and Halley Adams
(obviously teaching sister Keely everything she knows), was reserve champion
heifer of the district. Halley and Keely Adams and Tyler and Gus Dietrich
also won showmanship and grooming for their age categories for the district.
At Kneehill District Achievement Day there were
a whopping 60 out of 75 market steer projects with Angus genetics which was
great to see. As well, Maria and Sabrina Kooistra of the Cheadle Club
dominated in showmanship and grooming at their district achievement day in
Rockyford at the halter of their Angus steers. It goes even further than the
club level however, because East & West Central Heifer Show was no
exception. Cache McLerie’s cow/calf pair and a heifer from Kendall Janssen
received champion and reserve champion honours respectively with animals of
Angus cross genetics. Dakota Townsend won the purebred side with her Angus cow/calf pair and Halley Adams followed with her Angus heifer in reserve. Halley
and Dakota also won aggregate for junior and senior categories showing that
these Juniors have expertise in and out of the ring. It is huge to see Junior
members with a passion for the breed being so active and successful. It is safe
to say the breed is in capable hands, and this summer we are sure to see some
of these exceptional projects exhibited as well as many more. There has also
been various club and district champion steers at many achievement days I have
visited. For more details check out my twitter account, @katesdietrich or the
@cdnangus account, which features many of these announcements as retweets.
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| The Grand Champion slap and Reserve Grand Champion handshake in the female championship class at Flagstaff's District Show. |
Posted by Katelyn Dietrich
Feedback: kdietrich@cdnangus.ca
