Abigail Jantzi, May 4-H SuperYouth, in the show ring at the Chautauqua County Fair.

4-H Superyouth: Abigail Jantzi

4-H Youth are the Superheroes of the Future

By Kate Ewer, 4-H Community Educator

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (May 20, 2016) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program connects youth to hands-on learning opportunities that help them grow into competent, caring, contributing members of society. In an effort to recognize the great things that 4-H youth accomplish, each month Cornell Cooperative Extension Chautauqua County will name a 4-H SuperYouth. This month we celebrate Abigail Jantzi.

Eighteen year old Abbey has been active in 4-H for eleven years. She was president of the Clymer Eager Beavers 4-H club for four years where she participated in cake decorating, creative crafts, and photography. Abigail’s passion lies in the dairy industry. In the 4-H dairy project Abbey has been a junior superintendent in the Dairy Barn at the Chautauqua County Fair for four years and received the Outstanding Junior Superintendent award. She has been Grand Champion Dairy Showman in a very competitive field. At the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin Abigail was a member of the New York State Dairy Judging team and placed eleventh individually. At the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Kentucky she was on the New York State team that placed fourth in dairy judging. At the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg Abbey placed third in individual dairy judging.

At Chautauqua Lake Central School Abbey was the co-president of Student Administration, Treasurer of the National Honor Society, Captain of the Varsity Girl’s Swimming and Diving team, a member of High School Bowl, Envirothon, Science Olympiad, band and chorus, and Chorale. Abigail has participated in the Awana church program and Abbe Reformed Church Bible School.

Abbey has just finished her freshman year at Penn State Behrend where she is studying biology. She is a member of the Honors Program, is on the Dean’s List, and is in the National Society of Leadership and Success. She enjoys being a member of the Tone-Acious a Capella group, the Gamma Sigma National Service Sorority and the Agricultural Club.

In her free time Abbey enjoys working with her dairy cows, horseback riding, singing, swimming, and reading. When asked about Abbey Lisa Kempisty, CCE Dairy and Livestock Educator, shared these kind words, “Abbey Jantzi is an outstanding youth who is a positive role model for her peers as well as adults! Abbey is a caring person, always offering and eager to help teach the younger 4-H dairy members about dairy judging, fitting and showing a dairy animal, and maintaining an attractive 4-H dairy display at the fair. Abbey is very respectful of others, and shares her positive outlook and enthusiasm in all that she does. Abbey is a responsible and hardworking young woman who sets goals and strives to achieve them, always learning and sharing along the way. Congratulations to Abigail Jantzi, 4-H SuperYouth!

The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated May 26, 2016