Perseverance: An Important Skill Learned in 4-H

Updated July 22, 2020
Professional headshot of Hilary Risner

Hilary Kroupa

SDSU Extension Program Manager, Regional Youth Educator

Left: Maggie DeMers showing a dress on stage. Right: Maggie with a harnessed cow at a 4-H event.

Written by Logan Tlam under the direction and review of Hilary Risner.

Maggie DeMers is a member of the Clovervale 4-H Club in Tripp County, S.D. Through 4-H, she has influenced many people with her passion and experience in agriculture.

DeMers is a freshman at Winner High School in Winner, S.D. She has been a 4-H member for seven years. The project areas she is currently involved in are: beef, swine, hobbies and collections, photography and visual arts. However, she has also participated in public speaking, horticulture, home environment, clothing and many more. She has been successful in these project areas, with a few examples being: a champion market steer award at the 2018 Mid-Dakota Fair, a champion swine showmanship award at the 2019 Mid-Dakota Fair and a reserve champion beef showmanship award at the 2019 Mid-Dakota Fair.

Maggie’s favorite memory of 4-H is going to the South Dakota State Fair and hanging out with her friends. She shows cattle and swine at the Mid-Dakota Fair, and she has met many of her friends through going to the fair. Maggie also influences 4-H in an unnoticeable way. Every summer her family houses pigs for her and her friends to show. She helps her friends understand how to take care of these animals, the importance of working with them and how agriculture impacts our world every day. Housing the animals at her house means getting to see her friends every day. This, in turn, means forming lasting relationships, which is her favorite part about 4-H.

“Never give up. Even though it gets hard and some things do not go your way, like a misbehaving animal or a difficult project, you have to keep trying and it will get better.”

— Maggie DeMers, Tripp County 4-H

Maggie’s motivation to participate in 4-H comes from the skills she has gained in 4-H. She loves to learn about animals, plants and static exhibits, and she has come to realize how these projects impact society, ultimately helping individuals grow to be better people.

Maggie’s biggest piece of advice is, “Never give up. Even though it gets hard and some things do not go your way, like a misbehaving animal or a difficult project, you have to keep trying and it will get better.” Having perseverance is a big thing 4-H teaches you. Maggie’s participation in 4-H inspires many people from her county and state.

Related Topics

4-H Member Features

Related Content

Several s'mores cupcakes arranged in a baking tin.

Grant County 4-H’er Masters Hobby, Launches New Cupcake Business

December 02, 2021

Baking and binge-watching baking shows has always been a hobby for Hope Karels. It wasn’t until two years ago that the Grant County 4-H’er felt the urge to perfect her cupcake confectionary skills.

4-H member Olivia Miller discussing her mental health presentation with South Dakota 4-H Program Director Tim Tanner.

South Dakota 4-H’ers Step Up to End Mental Health Stigma

November 12, 2021

Hailey Stuck, Allison Fischer and Olivia Miller have certainly done their part in raising mental health awareness across the state over the last year, as each received a purple ribbon for their Mastery Showcase exhibits at the 2021 State Fair.

Frank Huber riding a tan horse in a corral.

Frank Huber’s 4-H Member Career Comes to Conclusion

Bennett County 4-H member, Frank Huber, began 4-H when he was a Cloverbud and is now an eighteen-year-old who will be finishing his 4-H career this year. He will leave the program with some well-developed skills, such as leadership and bill writing.