Leading the Way: Dickinson's Anna Friedt elected 4-H Ambassador

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Trinity High School senior Anna Friedt, 18, was recently elected as a 4-H Ambassador.

“Basically, the Ambassador program is to help promote the 4-H program in any way possible,” Friedt said.

The program is administered through the North Dakota State University Center for 4-H Youth Development. Ambassadors act as an advisor for 4-H youth, help plan the North Dakota State Extension Youth Conference and assist with the North Dakota State Fair 4-H activities.

Friedt, daughter of Jacqueline and Florian Friedt, is one of approximately 30 ambassadors around the state, but is the only ambassador to represent Stark-Billings County.

She was selected through an application process, letters of recommendation and interviews.

Friedt grew up in a 4-H family and is a member of the West River 4-H Club. Sandy Klein and her mother are the co-leaders.

She credits her mother and older sisters, Meghan, Lexi and Caitlin, for inspiring her to pursue 4-H.

“I’ve helped the younger members because I’ve been in the program for so long,” she said. “I’ll have lots of different opportunities to help the 4-H .”

She expects to help with 4-H communication arts, which is similar to a speech competition, the Consumer Choices competition and assist with the Stark-Billings County Achievement Days.

Friedt still has a year to complete her 4-H projects. She is working on a quilt and will do baking.

“I’ll be looking through cookbooks and make test batches several times, so they don’t flop on Achievement Days,” she said.

She also is considering a craft project, floral arrangement or canning.

She also was a member of Stark-Billings County land judging team last year.

“The options are endless — that’s what people don’t understand about the 4-H program,” she said.

Friedt counts 4-H as one of her many interests. She was a football cheerleader at Trinity for four years and studies dance at the Academy of Dance.

“I already teach one class this year and next year, I will be teaching more classes,” Friedt said.

Her goal is to study nursing in college, and to eventually work as a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist.

Stark-Billings County Agent Samantha (Sam) Roth said Friedt encourages youth to get involved in 4-H.

“She really is a good recruiter,” she said. “She helps quite a bit with Consumer Choices and is good at helping new members.”

Her tenure as an ambassador officially starts in June, said Roth, who is an ambassador advisor.

“She will help promote 4-H and will help plan the Extension Youth Conference in Fargo,” she added. “One of her main leadership roles is to assist at the State Fair.”

She may serve as an ambassador until the age of 22.

Tags: lifestyle