Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

A group of 16 teens from across South Dakota has been selected to serve as the 2020-2021 State 4-H Ambassador Team.      

Maggie DeMers of Tripp County was selected as one of the ambassadors.     Throughout their term, the group of ambassadors will serve as positive role models to other 4-H members throughout the state as they advocate for 4-H and the opportunities it provides youth to better themselves and those in their communities through hands-on projects and activities, adult mentorship and more.   

To qualify for this role, applicants must be a registered 4-H member in good standing between the ages of 14 and 18. All applicants must submit the necessary application materials and complete an interview at the South Dakota State Fair with a committee of industry professionals and State 4-H Ambassador Program co-advisors Hilary Risner, SDSU Extension Regional 4-H Youth Program Advisor, and Amber Erickson, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Field Operations Coordinator.

Current ambassadors wanting to serve another term must re-apply each year, regardless of their returning status.   

“The South Dakota State 4-H Ambassador Program is a positive youth development program founded on the principles of a learn by doing approach,” said Erickson. “The opportunities for leadership development are endless. Each selected State 4-H Ambassador will participate in a leadership development retreat, receive one-on-one coaching from their primary State 4-H Ambassador Advisor, and engage in the learn by doing approach through their action plan.”

“This is such a great group of young adults that we are welcoming to the team this year, each with a diverse background and portfolio of experiences,” said Risner. “Each individual has an immense amount of skills and passions that they bring to the table. I’m really excited to see what this team will accomplish in helping us tell the 4-H story.”   

Once selected to serve in this role, the ambassadors are expected to: Serve to support the 4-H program through public relations; Function as a positive role model for youth in South Dakota;    Abide by the South Dakota 4-H Code of Conduct both during and outside of 4-H events; Continually strive for improvement by serving as an agent of change;    Promote inclusion and respect for diversity across 4-H;Utilize skills and knowledge gained through 4-H to engage youth in educational activities; and Proactively engage in youth-adult partnerships.   

Each team member will create a State 4-H Ambassador action plan, facilitate an educational opportunity for youth and serve as an ambassador for one of the four program priority areas of agriculture, health and wellness, leadership, and science.   

“Throughout their one-year term they will have the opportunity to dive deep into their program priority area, sharing their passion and knowledge with youth across the state,” said Erickson. “We have a great group of phenomenal young leaders who I know are ready to step up, speak out, and change the world.”   

To fill his educational opportunity requirement, Logan Tlam, a second-year ambassador, has chosen to facilitate and host a podcast series that will be circulated on a variety of platforms throughout his community and the South Dakota 4-H organization.     

“My personal goal for this 2020-2021 term is to influence youth’s knowledge in agricultural literacy and careers by providing educational opportunities,” said Tlam. “My educational opportunity will be a podcast series about agricultural literacy, and the topics will revolve around agriculture and nutrition, environment, animals, lifestyle, technology and the economy.”      Members of the team also have the opportunity to serve on either the marketing or Teen Leadership Conference committees. Throughout their term, the marketing committee will continue to build promotion and awareness efforts of the 4-H program, while gaining valuable life skills in the areas of marketing and communications. The Teen Leadership Conference committee will work closely with Risner and Erickson to plan and implement the 2021 Teen Leadership Conference, all while gaining event planning experience.     

“I first heard about the South Dakota State 4-H Ambassador Program when I attended the 4-H Teen Leadership Conference this past year, and thought it would be a great opportunity to further my growth as a leader and help promote 4-H,” said Nicolette Hoffman, a newly-selected ambassador. “I am now on the Teen Leadership Conference committee, and I’m looking forward to helping plan the conference this year, as it has had such a positive impact on me the past two years I attended.”

Additionally, team members are presented a variety of supplemental leadership and service opportunities that include shadowing a state legislator or industry professional, representing 4-H at a community and/or industry event, interviewing with news and media outlets todiscuss the impact of 4-H, writing letters to the editor promoting 4-H, creating a promotional 4-H video and serving on a state 4-H committee.     

“The role of serving as a State 4-H Ambassador is truly a phenomenal opportunity for teens to grow in their leadership and life skills, while networking with peers from across the state,” said Risner. “They are mentors to other 4-H members and serve as the face of the South Dakota 4-H organization.”     

The objectives of the State 4-H Ambassador program are to prepare individuals to serve in roles as leaders, mentors and problem solvers, enhance their skills in communication, public speaking and critical thinking, focus on fundamental life skills, develop skill-specific career exploration, and provide positive youth-adult partnerships.     

“I would encourage youth to get involved in 4-H because it is an excellent provider for supplemental opportunities to develop leadership, communication, teamwork, and individual skills,” said Tlam. “I initially joined 4-H to show livestock, like many other kids. However, this organization helped push me to find my skills, and to use every opportunity within the organization to practice those skills. 4-H’s purpose is to develop youth into better people, and it lives up to that saying by providing many opportunities for development.”     

For more information about the South Dakota State 4-H Ambassador program, contact Hilary Risner, SDSU Extension Regional 4-H Youth Program Advisor and State 4-H Ambassador Program Co-Advisor, at hilary.risner@sdstate.edu or 605.394.1722, or Amber Erickson, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Field Operations Coordinator and State 4-H Ambassador Program Co-Advisor, at amber.erickson@sdstate.edu or 605.688.4167.

Karen Schrader, 76, of Winner, SD passed away on Oct. 21, 2020 at her home in Winner. She was surrounded by her family during her last few days here on earth.    

Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 26, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD.    Burial will be at a later date at the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD.     

Karen’s faith and the love for her family carried her through several years of health battles and the passing of her husband. Her special sense of humor and her super woman powers left behind a legacy of love and memories for all to remember her by.

Karen was born June 5th, 1944 in the home of Neil Slaughters on the way to the Burke hospital, to Dewain and Lavinia (Risewick) Wilson. She was the 3rd of 5 of the Wilson girls. Karen was baptized and confirmed at the Fairmont Church in Gregory, SD. She attended country school at Pleasant Hill that was near the family farm. Then she attended high school in Gregory, SD. After graduating in 1962 Karen traveled to California, where at that time her Aunt Myrtle was living there. She spent a short time there but was a trip she spoke of often.   

Karen’s hard work ethic came from working at her father’s side, hours in the fields and with cattle. Her mother taught her many life skills that made her the wife, mother, and grandmother she was. Everything from sewing, baking, gardening, and canning goods.     

On May 23, 1964 she married Larry D. Schrader of Jamison, NE. To that union four wonderful children were welcomed. Previous to the selling of the farm north of Colome in 1994, Karen and Larry spent many years farming, milking cows, and raising hogs. After they moved from the farm in April 1994 to Colome, they learned to enjoy special trips, visits, camping, and spending time with their children in their homes. They moved into Winner October 2000.   

Karen worked various occupations; a farmer’s wife, a mother, the manager at the gas station in Colome, early mornings making fresh goodies at the bakery, working at Community Connections helping others, and then Lil Feller convenience store where she retired April 1st, 2015. Karen always had smiles and stories to share with the customers, and enjoyed peoples looks when she worked with a friend who looked like her twin sister. I think they both enjoyed that!   

All that knew Karen would know the glow on her face and the biggest smiles came from the love she had for her children and all those Grand babies of hers. They were her sunshine on cloudy days, that would prove true to her final moments here on Earth. Hearing their sweet voices was the music to her ears.   

Karen Schrader was the beloved mother of Brian (Marquitta) Schrader, Vicky (Brad) Chauncey, Stacy (LeRoy) Severson and Jody (Kelly) Leighton. She was the grandmother of 14 grandchildren and a great grandmother to 4 grandchildren. Karen is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Dustin Schrader; Rachele (Justin) Vietor, and children Cora, Harper; Darrell Bly; Shaunday Antoine; Jenaya Schrader; Jordan (Elle) Beck, and child Madilynn; Jadie Chauncey; Jarred Schrader, and child Dalton Schrader; Amanda (Chris) Eilers; Bria Severson; LaRae Severson; Kasie Leighton; Lane Leighton; Westin Leighton, her sisters Dolores (Darrel) Hanson, Arlene (Les) Keever, Shirley (Lyle) Moerike and many nephews and nieces.   

She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry, parents, Dewain Wilson and Lavinia Risewick, sister Irene, unborn great grand baby, and many other loved one.   

Karen brought fun and sunshine into the lives of the ones who loved and cared for her, and always wanted them to know how special and loved they are being part of her life. “Everyday is beautiful” Karen.

The Winner School District was selected forthe 2020 Ron Noren award at the Jorgensen Land and Cattle event held on Oct. 2. Each year the Form-A-Feed outstanding cattleman award winners select a person or organization from their community who they would like to ‘pay it forward’ to with this monetary award. This year Jorgensen Land and Cattle chose the Winner School District.

The money will be used to help the school district fund the cost of cleaning supplies and equipment they may need to help students and staff stay healthy during COVID-19.

The Ron Noren award is not only a monetary award designed to give back to the community but it is also an award to honor the memory of the late Ron Noren, a former Form-A-Feed employee who lost his life to cancer in 2013