The Lincoln County 4-H Leaders' Association recently announced their 2005-2006 Lincoln County 4-H Ambassador Team. Eleven enthusiastic youth from both Merrill and Tomahawk, ranging in age from 14-17 years of age make up the team, along with two older youth advisors and two adult advisors. The 4-H Ambassadors are recognized as the team designated to promote 4-H, not only in the county, but at various events throughout the community as well. This year's team will be making arrangements for displays at "Lighted Schoolhouse" programs in both Merrill and Tomahawk, and also will be speaking at 4-H meetings and events held throughout the year. Members of the 2005-2006 Lincoln County 4-H Ambassador Team are as follows:

                      

 

 

Ellen Buhrmann - This is Ellen's 1st year as an Ambassador.  She is a member of the Merrill Yellow Jackets 4-H Club, and is involved in several projects, including horse, goats, arts/crafts, chickens, rabbits, and dogs.  Ellen has been chosen to attend the American Spirit Trip.  Her hobbies include horses (dressage), painting, music and horse bowl.  She is a Freshman at Merrill High School.

Neil Jackson - This is Neil's 1st year as an Ambassador.  He is a member of the Jenny Falls Jacks 4-H Club, and is involved in several projects including, dogs, animal tracks, flowers.  He has two 1st place ribbons for Dog Obedience, a 1st place and 2nd place for Dog Agility and a 1st place for Animal Tracks.  Neil has received a Best Actor Award and has been Student of the Month.  Neil is a Sophomore at Merrill High School.

 

Holly Schepp - Holly is a second year Ambassador and a member of the Pine River Pioneer Sunrise 4-H Club. She is active in the Dairy, Horse, Swine, Dog and Photography projects. She is currently the President of her club, and has served as Vice President as well. Holly was a delegate on the 2003 American Spirit Trip, and also participates on the Horse Bowl Team. Holly is a Ssophomore at Merrill High School and is active in FFA and also a member of the Merrill Swim Team.

Pam Tiffany - Pam is the newest member of the Ambassador team. She is a member of the Pine River Pioneer Sunrise 4-H club, where she participates in the Clothing, Dairy, Home Environment, Foods and Nutrition and Dog projects. Pam was a member of the youth team that taught leadership skills as this past summer's Wisconsin Youth Conference. She also actively participates in the Clothing Revue's at the State Fair. Pam is a Junior and is home schooled.

Melanie Tlusty - Melanie is a second year Ambassador and a member of the Merrill Busy Bees 4-H Club, where she also serves as the club's Secretary. Melanie is involved in the Horse, Dog, Cultural Arts, Food and Nutrition and Photography projects. Melanie is also very active outside of 4-H, participating in many activities at her church and at school. Melanie is a Freshman at Merrill High School .

Erica Thurs  - Erica is 17, and a Senior at Merrill High School. She is a member of the Hamburg Hawks and has been in 4-H for 8 years.  The projects she takes are Sheep and Cultural Arts. She has won Best of Show for her Cultural Arts entry. Erica's accomplishments are lettering in Band and becoming an Ambassador.  Her hobbies are piano, flute, raising sheep and reading.

Cassie Timm - Cassie is 14, and is a Freshman at Merrill High School. She is a member of the Merrill Yellow Jackets 4-H Club and has been in 4-H for 4 years.  Cassie's projects include Dogs, Food & Nutrition, Clothing, Photography and Speaking.  She also is a member of the 4-H Marketplace.  She has received Best of  Show in sewing, for a blouse she made and Honorable Mention for speaking.  Her hobbies are trining her dog, reading and scrapbooking.  Cassie's accomplishments are becoming an Ambassador, training her dog to be a therapy dog and learning how to scrapbook.

Cassie's 4-H Story:  I started 4-H because I wanted to train my dog at agility because I saw it at the fair.  Once I enrolled I also tried clothing, cooking and speaking.  I have added photography to my interest.  Last year I tried 4-H Marketplace.  I made jewelry, sock nimals and dog bandanas.  I enjoyed it so much I'm going to do it again this year.  This year I applied and interviewed for Ambassador, I got the job.

Brittany Wendorf - Brittany is 16 years old and a Sophomore at Merrill High School.  She is a member of the Pine River Pioneer Sunrise 4-H Club and has been in 4-H 10 years. Brittany has taken almost every project, but horses, dogs and sheep are her favorite.

She won 3rd Place at the State Horse Bowl competition.and won 1st place Senior Showmanship in 2004.  Also, her new dog got Best of how in 2004.  Brittany's hobbies are riding horses, hanging out with friends and she loves her job at the Merrill Veterinary Clinic.

Brittany's 4-H Story:  I'm not afraid of heights, climbing up is easy, but I hate climbing down.  ALso, 4-H has been awesome. It has helped me become a better person.  I can easily talk to people I don't know, and I am currently the President of my 4-H club.  I am very excited about being an ambassador and getting to know more people!

Amanda Barkley

Jessica Barnhill

Rebecca Blakeslee

Erin Riddle