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The Ohio Farm Bureau Youth annual meeting is a time to recognize youth councils for their outstanding activities for the year, and for the participating youths to have fun and be encouraged.

During the awards ceremony, Butlers and Maids won the Outstanding Youth Council award. The award is given to youth groups for their accomplishments during 2006 such as community and Farm Bureau activities, service, member attendance and safety.

The Mahoning Marketeers won the state Spotlight on Safety skit contest with their skit that focused on the consequences of drinking and driving. The Seneca Swampers took second place for their skit that focused on ATV safety.

The 2006 State Youth Committee was recognized for its service and the 2007 committee was introduced. Members are Benjamin Colston, Summit; Jeremy Deshler, Montgomery; Alesta Fredritz, Wyandot; Zak Johnson, Lake; Christa Lierer, Butler; Allen Miller, Columbiana; Kristi Moff, Mahoning; Sam Moser, Wood; and Krystal Seger, Auglaize.

"Be the big penguin" was the theme of the meeting, based on a presentation from Frank Kitchen, assistant director of student activities at Lakeland Community College. He told the youths he was there to "inspire you to achieve success. Life is about experiences and the relationships you make," he said.

Being the big penguin is about breaking the ice in relationships. "It never hurts to meet new people." He said relationships take work and to be successful, both parties need to take a genuine interest in the other, be honest and be respectful. He said relationships should only be with positive, supportive people.

He said true friends are rare, that time spent with them is effortless, nobody keeps score, there is no jealousy and no gossip. He told the group to handle any problems in relationships face to face.

He encouraged the youths to take chances. "Every day you hesitate, it gives your interest a chance to slip away."

The Farm Bureau Youth program was developed in the 1930s and continues to offer leadership conferences and events and support county youth councils to educate youths about Farm Bureau, cooperatives and develop their interpersonal and leadership skills. For more information, contact Darrell Rubel, OFBF director of volunteer development at drubel@ofbf.org or call 614-246-8277.

Captions: (Top) Mahoning Marketeers won the Spotlight on Safety skit. (Bottom) Butlers and Maids youth council earned the Outstanding Youth Council award.