Five 4-H Federation Scholarships awarded
Posted 5/30/02

Five teens are being honored for their hard work and accomplishments in the Mille Lacs County 4-H Program by being selected as this yearís Mille Lacs County 4-H Federation Scholarship recipients. Each year, the Mille Lacs County 4-H Federation selects current 4-H members who are just graduating from high school and are pursuing advanced education, to receive a $200 scholarship to help with the costs of advanced schooling. The 2002 scholarship recipients were selected through an application process. This year, we honor Peter Beckstrom, Rosalie Jensen, Matthew Saterbak, Kaitlin Smith and Andy Struffert.

ď Peter Beckstrom of Milaca has been a Mille Lacs County 4-H member for the past 11 years in the Brookside Buccaneers and OíNeil Eagles 4-H Clubs. This fall he plans to study for a career in welding at Alexandria Technical College. He has served in several 4-H leadership roles including camp counselor, youth leadership club, and club officer. He has been actively involved in many school and community activities including wrestling, FFA, church, softball, band, marching band, and choir.

Beckstrom says, "I love being in 4-H. I love showing animals, making friends and being with them all year. I have developed some very close friendships through 4-H. Summer camp is awesome. Everyone should experience camp at least once, both as a camper and a counselor. I learned trouble shooting and problem solving as a club officer and camp counselor."

He is the son of Kurt Beckstrom of Milaca and Rhonda Beckstrom of Princeton.

ď Rosalie Jensen of Zimmerman has been a Mille Lacs County 4-H member for six years in the Silver Lakers 4-H Club. Rosalie is planning on attending Moorhead State University this fall where she plans to study for a career in Graphic Communications. She has been quite active in the 4-H and has served in leadership roles within her club and the county 4-H program. She has enjoyed being a camp counselor for the PICKM 4-H resident camp and the "Say You, Say Me" overnight retreat.

"By being involved in 4-H, I have learned about myself and the world around me," Jensen said. "I have had the opportunity to make friends from many different places, to try new ideas and activities and to be a helpful, involved person in ëmy Club, my Community. my Country and my World.í 4-H is an extremely important factor in my life."

She has also been active in the Zimmerman American Legion Juniors Auxiliary. Rosalie is the daughter of Duane and Theresa Jensen.

ď Matthew Saterbak is a member of the Silver Lakers 4-H Club and has been an active 4-H member for the past 13 years. Matthew plans to attend North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D. He has shared his many talents through various 4H leadership roles such as assisting 4-H Horse Project members, Saddle Dusters Horse Club Officer, 4-H Federation President and being a camp counselor. Matthew was honored with the stateís highest honor in the 4-H Horse Project, the Dan Patch Award. Matthew has also been active in many school and community activities including church, National Honor Society, student council, band, choir, wrestling and football.

When asked what 4-H has meant to him, Saterbak replied, "4-H has given me a chance to explore many fields of technology and agriculture through the numerous projects offered. I believe that 4-H has given me the confidence and background that I need to be successful in college and beyond."

He is the son of David and Ann Saterbak of Princeton.

ď Kaitlin Smith of Zimmerman has been a member of the Silver Lakers 4-H Club for the last 12 years. She plans to study pre-med at the College of Saint Catherine in St. Paul this fall. During her involvement in 4-H, she has served in club leadership roles and been involved in many projects, exhibiting at the county and state fairs.

"I joined 4-H when I was in elementary school," Smith said. "It was fun going to meetings with my friends and getting to know other kids that were from other schools or home schooled. My first county fair was fun. I made an exhibit about clowning, having fun describing my outfit and makeup to the judge. However, 4-H came alive for me when I went to the PICKM Summer 4-H Camp for the first time. My friends and I adored our counselors, vowing to apply for the positions when we were old enough. I will be serving my third summer as camp counselor this June after I graduate from Princeton High School. My experiences at camp have taught me leadership and responsibility, as well as offered me an outlet for my creativity and sense of fun."

Smith has also been active in many school and church groups such as On Target, softball, track and field, basketball, band, choir, National Honor Society, peer tutoring, church, and the Zimmerman Outdoor Sportsmanís Club.

She is the daughter of Carol and Kevin Smith.

ď Andy Struffert of Foreston has been a Mille Lacs County 4-H member for the past 12 years in the Brookside Buccaneers 4-H Club. This fall, he plans to study for a career in welding technology at Alexandria Technical College. He has been actively involved in 4-H, FFA, school band and softball.

"4-H is the best experience - I have made new friends, learned more about dairy and other livestock animals and gained confidence in knowing I can accomplish new goals," said Struffert.

He is the son of Kenneth and Aimee Struffert.

The Mille Lacs County 4-H Federation has sponsored this 4-H Federation Scholarship for the past 15 years with funds in part from Federated Co-ops, Inc.