Skip to main content

Alumni Spotlight: Renae Drey


Proud. That is how our April Alum of the Month, Renae Drey, describes herself when talking about 4-H. Renae is a proud first generation 4-H member and volunteer.  She was involved in County 4-H programs, State 4-H Council, State 4-H Conference, National 4-H Conference, and National 4-H Congress. “All of these experiences have given me the opportunities I could have never imagined possible,” Renae said.

Renae started 4-H to try new things because she always asked herself, “Why not?” At first, Renae took on many different projects but ended up narrowing down to four of her strongest areas, Citizenship, Leadership, Communications, and Consumer Management. She earned a State 4-H project award for three of her four project areas.  In seventh grade, Renae completed her first citizenship project, by leading her 4-H club in making fleece blankets for a local nonprofit organization.

After that first project, Renae’s passion for leading was ignited. During her freshman year of high school, Renae started a Valentine’s Dinner in her community.  The dinner was open to anyone wanting to support the community with the proceeds are split three ways:  to help 4-H members fund trips, support for the club’s Relay for Life team in Sac County, and support for Renae’s 4-H club.  Fast forward five years and the dinner has continued. It attracts close to two hundred people from all over the surrounding area.

Through 4-H, Renae has had opportunities to meet people from all over the United States and speak with our senators and representatives in Washington D.C.  She enjoyed impacting 4-H on a county, state and national level.

“I do not have one favorite 4-H memory, but instead countless,” said Renae.  Some of her favorite memories include decorating for the Valentine’s Dinner, many trips to state council, making cookies with her 4-H club leaders, and playing hide and seek in the Sac City Rec Center during Junior Lock-in hosted by county council. Renae remembers the adrenaline rush at the State 4-H Conference and the two national trips she was able to attend. She even met one of her best friends on the National 4-H Congress trip and then was able to go with her on the National 4-H Conference trip as well.   


But most importantly, Renae will never forget the friends she made from her experiences with 4-H. “My 4-H experience was one of a kind and I cannot wait to volunteer in 4-H and hopefully pass down my love for 4-H to my children as well.”  The Iowa 4-H Foundation sends their best wishes to Renae as she continues to follow her dreams!





Support the next generation of Outstanding 4-H Alums!  

Donate Today!



Who should be our next 4-H Alum of the Month? Nominate them here!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome!

Welcome to the beginning of the Iowa 4-H Foundation Blog. In hopes to connect former 4-Hers, the Iowa 4-H Foundation is excited to hear stories, how 4-H has impacted your life, and just things you want the Iowa 4-H Program to know. Discussions will be posted every so often, and feel free to bring up any topic or memory you have of 4-H. Keep in mind future contests which may include videos, pictures, and personal 4-H stories. Check out the following other ways you can connect with 4-H online: Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/ ): Search Iowa 4-H Foundation and be apart of our group as well as our fan page! We will keep events updated here as well as current 4-H news. http://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ is our website and a great way to donate to the program and find out what is currently going on with 4-H. Visit this address ( http://www.extension.iastate.edu/mt/fordtruck/ ) to see the details of last summers 4-H Truck Raffle. Pictures, videos and blog posts can all be found.
Post a Comment
Read more

4-H News

Calling all Iowa 4-H Alumni: Alumni 4-Her’s Got Talent! A Share-the-Fun competition for all past 4-H’ers! Former Iowa 4-Her’s are invited to participate in the 2nd Annual Alumni Share-the-Fun competition, Alumni 4-H’ers Got Talent! On the evening of Thursday, August 13th, 2009, former 4-H’ers from across the state will perform a variety of acts on the Main Stage of the 4-H Exhibit Building at the Iowa State Fair. We’re looking for talent in all ages, shapes, and forms, to apply today! As long as one member is a former 4-Her, anything goes! A committee will review the applications, due July 20th, 2009 and select a variety of performers. To apply go to: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/StateFair/Documents/2009AlumniTalentShow.pdf 2009 4-H Research Studies Last month we announced the updates to the 4-H research. The national longitudinal study of the Positive Development of Youth called Waves of the Future is now available online. Find out how 4-H is making a difference across the nati...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Special Week - Just for Volunteers!

As the 2010 National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, comes to a close, it is nice to look back to see how counties have recognized those that put their time and effort into helping Iowa’s youth. These volunteers give to 4-H all year long, and it is great to have a week dedicated to their hard work. Here are a few counties that have made the extra effort to show their volunteer appreciation: With a “driving” theme, Muscatine County handed out cards at a recent leader’s training. “Thank you for Driving Muscatine County 4-H Youth to a Successful Future!” was written on the front, with 4-H member’s individual impact statements on the inside. The county also included a $5 gas card to fit the theme. Some quotes found in the card were: “My 4-H leader helps me to work towards my goals, learn how to write presentations/other communication, and to learn how to contribute to my community.” “Our leaders make meetings fun and educational.” “[Leaders] have shown me to grow as an individual an...
8 comments
Read more