Menu

The Summit Amigos Calientes are on fire.

The group was named the Outstanding Youth Council for the third year in a row during OFBF's Youth Annual Meeting held recently in Columbus. The council was honored for community service and safety education.

The Butlers and Maids council took the top spot in the Spotlight on Safety Contest for their skit promoting Christmas tree safety. Youth also participated in dancing, entertainment and education activities during the daylong event.

"It makes you feel good about Ohio's future when you see what type of young people we have involved in this program," said Darrel Rubel, OFBF's director of young leader programs. "These are the teens who make a positive difference in their communities and take a positive stand on the future."

During the meeting, Rubel took time to thank the adults who serve as advisers to the youth councils.

"They're a big reason why our youth programs are so successful. They are real heroes to our teens, and we all need heroes at some time in our lives," he said.

Youth also heard from motivational speaker Harvey Alston who talked to them about what it takes to be the best.

"You are the best of the best, the top of the top, the cream of the crop, otherwise you wouldn't be here," the charismatic Alston, dressed in a tuxedo and black cowboy boots, told the group.

He said teens today are in a highly competitive world and must work hard to accomplish their dreams.

"You can't afford to be average anymore," he said.

A new group of young leaders was elected by their peers to serve on the State Youth Committee and will receive specialized leadership and teamwork training that will help them in their duties of planning and serving at statewide and regional youth events. The new members are Danielle Bruynis, Wyandot County; Bryan Cain, Summit County; Cory Honemann, Henry County; Christa Lierer, Butler County; Jimmy Miller, Columbiana County; Holly Layman, Hardin County; Melissa Riehl, Mahoning County, Krystal Seger, Auglaize County; and Callie Staggers, Knox County.

Rubel also gave an emotional sendoff to several State Youth Committee members who he has worked with for a number years.

"You watch these kids grow up and then you see them go out into adulthood," he said "And I am so exceedingly proud."

Caption: Motivational speaker Harvey Alston tells Farm Bureau youth that happiness is a choice.