Ontario Ambassadors
The six new Ontario 4-H Ambassadors at their investment in February, including local woman Melissa Brisson. Shown, not in order, are Devin Catt (Elgin), Andrea Dohner (Elgin), Nicole French (Peel), Evan Jenkins (Elgin), Kyle Nussey (Oxford) and Brisson.     Courtesy photo

Candice Vetter
Villager Staff
EMBRUN – Local woman Melissa Brisson has been chosen as this area’s 4-H Ambassador for 2018. In an email interview with The Villager Brisson said she applied for the position in December. In January, she received a call saying that she had been chosen for an interview. After the interview, she was selected to be one of the six 2018 4-H Ontario Ambassadors.

Brisson has always been heavily involved in 4-H and in her community in other roles. She was raised on a dairy farm near Embrun. She started 4-H when she was 10 years old and she has completed over 30 clubs over the years. In addition she has participated in many provincial and national 4-H events such as the Youth Adventure Camp, Provincial Leadership Camp, Future Leaders In Action, Career Mania, Provincial Go For The Gold, TD Dairy Classic, National Members Forum and Citizenship Congress. “I’m very involved in my community both at home and at the university,” she said. She was also the OAC 2021 class representative for the year 2017-2018. Now she is finishing her first year in a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Guelph.

“The number of projects I’ve completed in the past year did have a role in me getting the position,” said Brisson. “They were looking for 4-H members involved in the 4-H program (participation in camps, conferences, clubs) who were also involved in their communities.”

The 4-H Ontario Ambassador program is open to 4-H members between the ages of 18 and 21. As an ambassador, Brisson represents the program as a whole at events held by (or for) sponsors, helps host events for youth members, and speaks about her experience as an involved 4-H member.

The position requires a lot of travelling throughout the year since any 4-H association in Ontario can request to have an ambassador at their event. So far, she knows she will attend events in Ottawa, Kemptvile, Petersurg, Cobourg and Bolton.

When asked how she’ll find the time, she answered, “School ends in April and the next school year starts in September, therefore I have a lot of time open for travelling and to attend events. I also have a flexible summer job and a very understanding employer.”

She is keenly looking forward to her new role.