Mattson Earns Mich. 4-H State Award
Published: Friday, September 6, 2019
Darlene Mattson, a 4-H member from the Best Friends 4-H club in Berrien County, was selected as the winner of the 2019 Michigan 4-H state award in senior division companion animal science. The Michigan 4-H state awards program took place during 4-H Exploration Days June 19-21 on the campus of Michigan State University.
The Michigan 4-H state awards program is an opportunity for 4-H members to receive recognition while developing their leadership skills and personal portfolio. The program features a junior and senior division in 19 project areas as well as a group award category. Delegates are invited to participate in the program based on receiving a qualifying score on their application. The 4-H state awards Application includes a cover letter, resume, 4-H story and questions that highlight the life skills, project content knowledge, leadership development, and civic engagement experiences 4-H members have gained through their 4-H projects. Up to twelve delegates in the junior, senior and group divisions for each project area were invited to represent their county.
During the Michigan 4-H State Awards Program at MSU, junior delegates participated in a junior leadership program to help them build their interviewing and communication skills while senior and group delegates competed in interviews. All delegates attended the recognition event where they had an opportunity to engage in career conversations with the program donors and MSU Extension staff. This year, 80 youth representing 31 counties attended the 4-H state awards program as delegates.
Darlene Mattson has been a 4-H member for eleven years. In addition to the dog project, she participates in expressive arts, clothing and textiles as well as archery projects. Darlene is currently a team instructor for the Best Friends 4-H club, a teen instructor for archery in the Straight Shooters 4-H club and is one of three teen representatives on the Berrien County 4-H Leaders Assn. Executive board. Darlene is the daughter of Herman and Lisa Mattson.
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