4-H member Fair motivated to work harder
<p>Kendra Fair of Post Falls, shown here with a 3-day-old oxford sheep on the family's farm, was one of only nine youth in the state to be chosen to attend the recent National 4-H Congress in Atlanta. She was also recently picked to attend the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., in March.</p>
POST FALLS - Some students let go of 4-H in high school due to other activities taking their time.
Not Kendra Fair.
The Post Falls High senior was one of just nine students statewide picked to attend the recent National 4-H Congress in Atlanta.
"We are very proud of her as this was something she did on her own," said Kendra's father Dave, adding that she submitted a 35-page application and video interview in hopes of being selected.
4-H is a national youth leadership development program, including more than 4,200 volunteers and 33,000 students in Idaho.
Kendra was also recently chosen to attend the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., in March.
Kendra, a nine-year 4-H member who belongs to the Pine Tree club, represented the rabbit program as an Idaho delegate to the Congress.
"I love 4-H and I was interested in seeing how it varies on a national level," Kendra said of her desire to attend.
Delegates attended workshops ranging from agriculture research to robotics, participated in service projects, toured Atlanta-area sites, networked with fellow 4-H members from around the nation and heard from motivational speakers such as Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan of Nebraska.
Prior to the national event, Kendra attended the 4-H Teen Conference in Moscow and hosted a petting zoo for retirement home residents.
Kendra has shown sheep, pigs and rabbits at the fair that have been raised on her family's Rathdrum Prairie farm. She has also been in a variety of projects over the years, including food and nutrition.
Kendra is considering attending the University of Idaho, Washington State University and some schools back East. She plans to major in either veterinary medicine or retail/marketing.
Kendra said some students become discouraged if they don't receive the 4-H ribbon they thought they deserved at the fair or drop out for other reasons, but she considers critiques as motivation to work harder the next time.
"I've always taken it as a positive learning experience," she said. "I've stayed with 4-H because I love it. I want to continue on with it for as long as possible."
That includes participating with a 4-H club in college.
"It's taught me a lot about responsibility and public speaking," she said. "4-H has given me some amazing friends. It's been inspiring to see so many youth and young adults come from this organization who are so driven and willing to work hard to reach their goals."