Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-6342 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

 

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor

Phone: (307) 766-6342

E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu

Archived News Site www.uwyo.edu/agadmin/news/news.htm

 

Date: March 13, 2006

 

4-H educator joins Johnson County Cooperative Extension Service office

            Rachel Novakovich began work March 6 as 4-H youth extension educator in the Johnson County University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES) office.

            A 1999 graduate of Tongue River High School in Dayton, she received a bachelor’s of science degree in range management and livestock production option with emphasis in sports leadership from Chadron State College, Chadron, Neb., in 2005.

             “Rachel was a 4-H member in Sheridan County and brings strong skills in youth development to the position,” said Susan James, federal relations and staff development coordinator with the UW CES. 4-H is the youth arm of the UW CES, and its state offices are in the College of Agriculture.

            Novakovich completed a CES 4-H internship with the Uinta County CES office last summer and was the 4-H after-school coordinator for Evanston schools.

             “The attraction I have to 4-H and extension is that I get to be an educator, but I don't have to be in a classroom everyday,” Novakovich said. “I really enjoy talking with and teaching young people and adults, but I think in 4-H I have the opportunity to enhance some of those skills that are taught in school through real-life, hands-on situations.”

            She said her internship in Uinta County was a terrific learning experience.          

“Before the internship, I was leaning toward 4-H and extension, but I learned more about not only what I had thought 4-H was all along but the many other opportunities I would have never considered,” she said. “Before working there, I had no idea 4-H had after-school programs and what all they can entail. After completing my internship, I was set on becoming a 4-H educator.”

On the Web: http://www.uwyo.edu/UWCES/Johnson_main.asp

###