February 13, 2018 • Page 10 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Valuable Leadership And Life Lessons From 4-H By Lura Roti for SDSU Extension Traversing the globe on deployments for the U.S. Air Force, Ericka (Meligan) Flanigan's thoughts often reflect on moments spent in the Stanley County 4-H Achievement Days showring. "Showmanship taught me to give my best - even when I was tired. Showmanship was always the last event of the day, so I would have already shown 20-head of sheep and then, I had to do my best. That mentality has gotten me through several deployments," explains the Vice Wing Commander of the 70th Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Wing. With 6000 service men and women answering to her, lives depend upon Flanigan's ability to be at her best and confidently make tough decisions whether she is stationed in a combat zone or in her office at Fort George Meade, Maryland. RON’S AUTO GLASS We Supply & Install • Auto • Home • Commercial 605-665-9841 www.ronsautoglass.com "I think about 4-H judging almost every day honestly, whether making million-dollar decisions or mission critical choices. I need to think about what makes one decision better than the next," Flanigan says. "Whether it was livestock, horticulture or arts and crafts, 4-H judging contests gave me the ability to look at options and make a good decision." Oral reasons have also come in handy, she adds. "I need to be able to back up my decisions." Flanigan became a member of the Country Coyotes 4-H Club when she was just 8. Even before she was old enough to join, her mom and dad, Ray and Iris, served as the club's leaders. They were both 4-H alumni and eager share the benefits of involvement in the project-based organization with Stanley County youth. It didn't take long for Flanigan to become involved in every aspect of 4-H - showing horses, sheep, cattle, giving illustrated talks, serving as a club officer and competing in 4-H Rodeo. "I did everything," she recalls. "I still have all my ribbons and buckles." She says that the journey to those awards taught her valuable lessons and developed her into the leader she is today. "In 4-H, no matter what project you do, you have to drive yourself. I loved showing, but every year, I began at zero, with a wild heifer and I had to work to train her to lead. It was not easy, but my end goal was to be in that show ring and absolutely be able to show her. 4-H taught me the value of meaningful labor," says Flanigan, who draws several other parallels between her Air Force career and 4-H. She lists leadership, competition and recognition for good work as some of the similarities that converted a college elective into a 23-year career. "ROTC was a hybrid of things I had done in 4-H," says the Speech Communications graduate of South Dakota State University. "Being involved in ROTC really gave my college life a lot of meaning." Following graduation, Flanigan's first Air Force assignment was teaching ROTC classes and developing programing on the MOODY MOTOR NIOBRARA, NE campus of SDSU. From there, Lieutenant Flanigan entered the intelligence career field. Today, Colonel Flanigan credits hard work, dedication and the selfless service of her parents and many other 4-H volunteer mentors with providing her with the strong foundation necessary to climb military ranks. "Every rank takes a lot of work - there is a lot of blood and sweat behind every rank. 4-H made me tough. It also fostered teamwork," Flanigan says. "In 4-H there were so many times when I had more than one animal in the same class and I would need another 4-H member to help me show. They would help me because they knew that I would help them when they needed it. It's 665-5884way Call the same to here (in your ad here. place the Air Force.)" Game, Fish And Parks Launches 100 Years Of Tradition PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) announced today that the next couple of years will be dedicated to celebrating 100 Years of Tradition. In 1918, South Dakota established its first pheasant hunting season which was held in Spink County in 1919. Also, in 1919, Custer State Park was named the first official state park. “In South Dakota, we know that traditions come in all forms of outdoor recreation,” stated Kelly Hepler, department secretary. “Over the next two years, we will highlight our hunting, camping and outdoor recreational traditions as well as yours, but also focus on where we all want to go in the next 100 years.” To kick things off, GFP will showcase 100 Years of Tradition at the 2018 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, Feb. 16-18. Department staff will be located in the concourse as well as at Booth 1706. Commemorative 100 year hats will be given away throughout the event and staff will be selling hunting, fishing and park entrance licenses on site. Other prizes will also be given away. “With celebrating INTERESTED 100 years, there will be a strong digiIN THIS SPOT? tal push using #MySDTradition; focusing on the outdoor Call 665-5884 provide usyourwith here. memories of to place all ad great opportunities that the past. As we reach 100 years of pheasant hunting and state parks in South Dakota, we encourage our recreational users, residents and nonresidents, to take us for a trip down memory lane. We want to learn about your new and old traditions and how they got started,” stated Hepler. In addition, two new partnerships are underway with South Dakota breweries and the South Dakota RV industry. The New Brew Competition asks all breweries in South Dakota to develop a brew honoring the 100 year celebration and focusing on the close relationship with nature, strong ties to community and how the outdoors play a strong role in our future. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was sent to all South Dakota RV dealers this week requesting a donation of a new camper to be given away in 2019. Call 665-5884 to Additional events, partnerships and opportunities place your ad here. to commemorate the 100 years will continue to be announced as they are finalized. For more details on how you can get inInterested in Our Family Let volved, visit https://gfp. this spot? Business Keep Yours sd.gov/100-years/. 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