Column: Small town girl takes on big city
Kortni Wells is a junior majoring in print journalism. Her adventurous life includes making and decorating cheesecake, planning thrill-seeking adventures, and of course, lots of naps.
What’s a small town Idahoan girl to do in the big city of Denver, Colorado?
More than she ever thought possible.
I find the most excitement leaving Logan for even just a weekend, if that tells you how much I get out. A couple months ago, I was given the opportunity to apply for a little thing called Western National Roundup held in Denver, Colorado.
Western National Roundup is open to youth 4-H and FFA members who are in between 14 and 19 years of age. This year there were over 1,100 youth in attendance from 33 states, as well as a delegation from Alberta, Canada. Delegates are chosen by winning their home state’s contest, or being chosen as a delegate in their home state. Competitions held at roundup include horse and livestock judging, livestock quiz bowl, hippology, horse demonstrations and public speaking, parliamentary procedure, family consumer science presentations, skillathon, and bowl, consumer decision making, public speaking (prepared and impromptu), and meats identification.Delegates practice good sportsmanship, public speaking, and professionalism that will carry them forward.
The Collegiate 4-Hers of Utah State were accepted to facilitate some of the contests. This was my first year experiencing all that Denver had to offer, and I absolutely loved every minute of it. There were chances to meet other Collegiate 4-Hers from different universities, swap 4-H stories of our experiences, develop better friendships with my own fellow Collegiate 4-Hers, and explore in a place I’ve never been before.
The theme of this year’s contests was titled, “Level Up your Leadership,” aimed at helping encourage delegates and participants to take their leadership skills to the next level.
There were several souvenirs bought, new food place to try, and many new things to experience, that wouldn’t have really been possible without this experience. We also had the opportunity to attend the National Western Stock Show, which is one of the biggest livestock shows( the biggest I have ever attended). Although we weren’t there for the “meat” of the Stock Show, the cattle portion, it was fun to attend my first ever llama show. Who knew you could show a llama? Right? I just discovered that too.
As one fellow Collegiate 4-Her recently recounted, we definitely learned all about llamas while we were there. Honestly the only thoughts I had was that I suddenly felt that I was an extra in “The Emperor’s New Groove.” And, because of the loopy tiredness I felt through that whole week, I thought watching llamas show was one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever seen.
This experience was unlike any other 4-H Conference I have ever attended, and I’ve attended several in my 4-H lifetime. There is seriously something for everyone. Although this experience is tailored to 4-H and FFA youth, the Collegiates also learned quite a bit facilitating, and helping out with the contests, in areas that we definitely weren’t experts at. We were able to interact with youth from all over the United States, dance our hearts out with the delegates, make personal connections with the speakers, as well as professional connections with the staff and directors of the conference, that will help us in our futures as we venture out into the real world.
This experience was the perfect way to start my 2017. I couldn’t be happier for the opportunity I was blessed with to attend Western National Roundup. I can now see why it’s worth it to venture out of the areas that are known, and to embrace the unknown and unfamiliar. You never know what will come out of the experience. The 12+ car ride, the unexpected storm warnings, the food that almost made us sick, the fancy glass elevator at our hotel, the laughs, the long nights, and everything in between. More than just parli pro was learned, at least in my case this past weekend. I also discovered that it isn’t the events that carry us forward. It’s the memories, and the people you are able to make those memories with that matters. And for that I will always be grateful.
— kortni.marie.wells@aggiemail.usu.edu
@kortniwells