VEISHEA Co-chair Uses 4-H Tradition for Tomorrow’s Vision

Nicki Cortum is no stranger to preparation and hard work. Achieving high goals are nothing new for 4-H members, and Cortum is no exception. Cortum, an Iowa State University senior and native of Norwalk, is a past Warren County 4-H member with a very important new role: VEISHEA general co-chair.

She served on the VEISHEA committee her first and second years at Iowa State and worked as the office manager in 2009. This year she went straight to the top -- general co-chair.

“The more I got involved and learned about VEISHEA, the more passionate I became about seeing it continue to be a valued tradition at Iowa State,” said Cortum.

Cortum credits many of her leadership skills today back to her 4-H involvement. 4-H is the youth development program of Iowa State University Extension dedicated to advancing the leadership, citizenship, communication and life skills of Iowa’s youth. She is not alone; research from ISU Extension shows that 72 percent of 4-H members improved their leadership skills, among others.

“I think all the presentations I gave, project goals and reports I wrote and all the judges I talked to about my projects definitely made me a strong communicator, which has helped me be successful at many things I’ve done,” said Cortum.

“Participating in 4-H gave me a sense of work ethic and taught me what it means to finish a project you start,” said Cortum. “That also taught me problem-solving skills and responsibility.”

Responsibility is in no shortage with Cortum. Along with her co-chair, Hallie Satre, she is in charge of seeing that 2010 VEISHEA showcases all that Iowa State has to offer.

Again, Cortum credits 4-H as helping prepare her for this task. In the past, she held an internship coordinating the Madison County Fair, which celebrates all the great things 4-H members have done over a year.

In 2010, VEISHEA will celebrate Iowa State by using Today’s Vision, Tomorrow’s Tradition for the week of April 12-18. During this week the Iowa State campus will host college showcases, entertainment, parades and much more.

Cortum encourages other 4-H members to use the skills they have learned and remain involved.

“Take advantage of all the opportunities you have to learn something new or practice what you have learned,” advises Cortum. “I know that sometimes giving a presentation doesn’t seem like much fun, but these really are skills you will use in the future.

“Also, don’t be afraid to set your goals high and pursue what you love to do,” said Cortum. “If you are passionate about a goal and are willing to work hard to accomplish it, anything is possible!”

Cortum has proved her statement through dedication to what she is passionate about and is confident that her 4-H background will continue to serve her in the future.

“Being a general co-chair has been rewarding and valuable experience that I know will continue to serve me well in the future,” said Cortum.

About VEISHEA
VEISHEA is an annual celebration held at Iowa State each spring and one of its oldest traditions. It serves as a showcase and display of the Iowa State community with a wide variety of educational and entertainment events.

Volunteering with 4-H: It’s About Giving

Each year nearly 10,000 volunteers contribute their time, energy and expertise to help Iowa youth build life skills through 4-H learning experiences. And Barb Determan knows why they volunteer. It’s about giving.

“I wanted to give back to 4-H. Our family has gotten a lot of good out of it. I want to share that with other kids,” Determan said.

That’s why the Sac County woman serves as a trustee on the Iowa 4-H Foundation board, judges 4-H communication projects at the Iowa State Fair and is midway through her 29th year as an Iowa 4-H club leader.

“I really enjoy working with the kids,” she said, but that’s only part of the appeal. Far beyond the enjoyment, 4-H has given Determan a lifetime of value, the long-time volunteer said.

“I have had great opportunities,” she said.

Growing up in Illinois, Determan participated in 4-H for nine years, even attending the National 4-H Congress. As a student at the University of Illinois, she lived in the 4-H House, a sorority for former 4-H members. When she married an Iowa farmer and moved to Sac County, she called the ISU Extension office right away to get involved as a 4-H leader. Her husband, Steve Determan, became a 4-H leader as well.

Their three children — Kourtney, Dan and Andy — now adults, all participated in 4-H as youth and were state project winners.

“More important, they learned so many skills in 4-H — especially communication, leadership and community service,” Determan said. “4-H taught them how to give.”

4-H clubs expose kids to things they might not try otherwise, allowing them to develop interests they didn’t know they had and learn skills they can use for a lifetime, Determan continued. “4-H is the premier youth development organization. We work with kids from a very young age, making it comfortable for them to become leaders, communicators and [better] citizens.”

Determan’s club, the Early Achievers, is a multi-age club. She’s been a 4-H leader long enough that she’s now working with the children of some of her earlier 4-H club graduates.

“That’s a huge honor for me — to have the second generation of 4-H’ers,” Determan said.

A Citizen Soldier’s Shooting Sports 4-H Story

Pointing kids in the right direction is not what Thomas Sage of Black Hawk County thought he would be doing when he returned from his National Guard deployment. However, Sage has since dedicated his time, energy and skills to becoming an inspirational 4-H shooting sports instructor.

“I really didn’t know when I got back from Afghanistan what I was going to do. I was tired and frustrated with a lot of things,” said Sage. Sage is currently in the National Guard and was previously a United States Marine. He has completed two combat deployments.

“When I got back from my tour in Afghanistan, I was asked to help start a new 4-H program in our county, shooting sports,” said Sage. “I saw this as an excellent opportunity to give something back to the community, and it’s something I really enjoy doing.”

Sage is not alone in volunteering with 4-H. More than 10,000 Iowa volunteers are members of the proud group who contributed time, energy and expertise to help youth strengthen life skills through 4-H learning experiences in 2009.

4-H Shooting Sports
Sage learned how to shoot a gun at a young age with his father and grandfather. While serving in the Marines, he was able to hone his shooting skills through practice and discipline.

“It is a life skill that is fun, practical and teaches the kids to be safe and responsible,” said Sage. “We treat every one of our 4-H’ers as a young adult. They respond to this kind of environment in a positive manner.”

Shooting Sports has been a part of 4-H since the 1980s, but an Iowa program did not develop until 2003. Today the shooting sports program requires instructors be certified and continues to teach youth the self-confidence, personal discipline, responsibility and sportsmanship required for the use of firearms. Shooting sports is just one of many project areas for Iowa’s 4-H youth who number almost 110,000. Check out this video for more information on 4-H shooting sports.

“4-H shooting sports is a positive way to develop important life skills and provide the opportunity for youth to develop a life-long activity,” said Bryan Whaley, ISU Extension 4-H youth development program specialist.

The following shooting sports disciplines are currently available in Iowa: archery, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader and wildlife skills. An annual state match showcases 4-H’er abilities in the shooting disciplines, as well as communication and exhibition options. 4-H members also have an opportunity to qualify for the National Invitational Team.

4-H Lessons
Sage has made 4-H a life-long activity and credits his 4-H involvement for success later in life.

“My 4-H background was indispensable. It gave me the skills to be a leader of Marines early on, by giving me the confidence that I needed to get up in front of people and teach,” said Sage. “It also gave me the ability to interact with people that I didn’t know.”

While serving on a training team for the Afghanistan Army in 2005 through 2006, Sage credits his 4-H involvement for helping him relate. Many of the trainees came from rural backgrounds and Sage went above his call of duty to give insight on local agricultural problems.

“4-H is the greatest organization to learn the life skills that I use everyday,” said Sage.

Last year, Sage was recognized as an outstanding 4-H leader completing this third year of involvement. The majority of Iowa 4-H volunteers have been doing so for over five years. Even though Sage is not yet to that mark, he has become highly involved leading the Rifle Training Project, Shotgun Skeet and Clay Pigeon Project, and planning the instruction schedule. Sage also designed the badge reward system for Marksmanship, Sharpshooter and Expert.

“It is the best learning environment I have ever been involved with in my life,” said Sage who is preparing for his third tour of duty this summer.