Rice County 4-H’ers Vicky Erickson, Kyra Flom and Rose Chmelik selected for 2017 4-H Presidential Inauguration Focus
45 youth were selected to represent Minnesota 4-H at the 2017 Presidential Inauguration
Faribault (11/July/2016) – Rice County 4-H’ers Vicky Erickson, Kyra Flom and Rose Chmelik were selected as three of 45 youth delegates who will represent Minnesota 4-H in the 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus: Presidential Inauguration Jan. 16-21, 2017. The delegates will travel to the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Washington D.C. to participate in the citizenship program. The Minnesota 4-H’ers will join youth from across
the country in learning about the democratic process, exploring the history of the Presidency, examining the role of press in politics, and enhancing their role in citizenship through service and hands-on learning. The selection process to be a Minnesota delegate in the 2017 Presidential Inauguration Focus was a competitive application process.
Participants will:
Learn the meaning and importance of the democratic process
Explore the history of the presidency, the election process, and the role of the press
Discover the intricacies of the Executive Branch and careers in politics
Practice their role in citizenship through service, civic education, and engagement
Build relationships with 4-H members from across Minnesota and across the country
Apply what they have learned when they return to Minnesota
Delegates will be engaged in activities before, during, and after the 2017 presidential inauguration. Youth will journal about their experience, share their learning with 4-H’ers at home, and give presentations to local community leaders and/or 4-H programs, complete a county fair project related to the experience, or design and implement a service or educational activity. “Through this experience, we hope to demystify the presidential selection process, think critically about the role of the media, while also building relationships with peers in Minnesota and beyond,” said Jacquie Lonning, Extension 4-H Citizenship & Leadership state program director. “This opportunity will encourage them to think about how they can engage in democratic processes effectively at the local and national levels.” In Washington D.C. , youth will participate in workshops and interactive sessions; hear inspiring speakers; visit national memorials, historical sites, and the Smithsonian museums; experience Inauguration Day events; dance the night away at an inaugural ball dinner and dance cruise; and meet youth from across Minnesota and the country. “I think this is an amazing opportunity and I'm really excited to experience the inauguration and everything that’s part of it,” states Kyra. Vicky shares “I am hoping to learn a lot about the government process and how the government runs our country. I am really excited to be able to travel to our country's capital and possibly meet the president.”
