Hear from our Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors
By: Vivian Loe & Kenlee Childress
“Upshur County 4-H is excited to continue to support two water ambassadors. This past month they went to the Tier II 4-H2O Leadership Academy where they had the opportunity to build friendships with other water ambassadors across the State, get a behind-the-scenes look into how water is managed, learn from leading water industry professionals, and gain advanced water knowledge. The goal of this Academy is so that they can bring what they learned back to Upshur county. Both Vivian and Kenlee have written a little preview of their trip to give you an idea of their experience and some topics you might learn from them later this year.
Vivian Loe wrote ‘Upsur County 4-H has brought me many opportunities, the most memorable, has been Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors. I am currently serving my second year and excited is an understatement. My plans are numerous and I can only hope my extension agents and my parents can keep up. This past week we ran around the state of Texas with a pack of vans visiting places I never knew existed. My perspective on Texas water, much like the water itself, is ever shifting. We toured the Vista Ridge facility in Caldwell Texas; there they pull water from the aquifer below and it embarks on its journey to the city of San Antonio. Once it arrives, it is used for drinking and a multitude of other jobs. I found emphasis on the roles that rural towns play in providing water for major cities and a significance of Urban planning in the way the state operates. My view shifted to the truth that we all play parts in each other’s lives. We find ways to connect, and this connection is often polarized. Texas 4-H Water Ambassadors has opened my eyes to the fact that this state is connected in one true goal: Save Texas Water. On this trip I got to meet people from all over Texas. Spanning from big cities like Dallas to small towns like Wellington. I thank my Extension Agents, Julie York, for introducing me to the many Ambassador programs, Lauryn Coffman for being so eager to help, learn, and provide support, Lisa East for teaching me so much and always being there to support my endeavors. But most of all I thank the Water Ambassador program. Without this program, my abilities to give back to my community would be uneducated and futile. This program has taught me how to take care of our communities, how to be confident when presenting, and how to teach young, future generations, and for that I will forever be grateful.’
Kenlee Childress shared ‘If you had told me two years ago that I would be traveling all across Texas and experiencing the opportunities and activities I have over the past two years, I would not have believed you. The past two years have been filled with opportunities I never expected; all made possible through the Upshur County 4-H program. Through our organization, I applied to become a Texas 4-H State Water Ambassador. With this position, I take on yearly responsibilities, such as community service, classroom assignments, and cultivation. Through this role, I have gained lifelong relationships and connections, as well as water knowledge. I have to confess that before becoming a Water Ambassador I knew nothing about the water industry. After my two years of service, I have learned how to harvest water, the importance of conservation, and where our water comes from. During my first year as a Water Ambassador, I earned my water testing certification, met with multiple groundwater conservation districts, and attended the Fall retreat, where we learned more about the environment. Additionally, I also sat in on the local Upshur Gregg Soil & Water meetings. This allowed me to learn how our water systems work locally. Over the course of the year, I participated in many booths and presentations that permitted me to teach others about the water industry. I am now beginning my second year of service. Over the summer we took our Tier II trip, which begins our second year of service. During this week we traveled to several places along the coast. We got to visit Vista Ridge Wellfield, which pumps water from College Station to San Antonio through a pipeline. Furthermore, we toured an Aquaculture facility, Oster Farm, the San Jacinto River Authority, the Naval Museum, and two groundwater conservation districts. Each stop offered a unique perspective on how Texas manages and protects one of its most valuable resources—water. Serving as a Texas 4-H State Water Ambassador has given me knowledge, leadership skills, and friendships that will last a lifetime. Most importantly, it has shown me the importance of protecting our water resources and serving my community. I look forward to continuing my work as an ambassador and inspiring others to become involved in 4-H.’