Name: Jordan Yatska
Hometown: Bee Branch, Ark.
Family: Janet Yatska, mother; Somer, sister and Justine, twin sister
Club: Van Buren County 4-H
4-H History: Eighteen-year-old Jordan Yatska has been in 4-H since the 6th grade. She and her twin sister, Justine, had been Girl Scouts, and after moving to Bee Branch, Ark., in Van Buren County, their mom got them interested in being a part of 4-H. Jordan went to 4-H camps and found new adventure and got to meet people from the county, district and state and made friends with many of them. Jordan said, “Beginning with 9th grade it really became fun.” She has enjoyed the competitions, camps and grassland studies. In 2009 she won at national competitions twice in crop and seed identification and for five years she was first in the state. Jordan said, “I focused on competition.”
Currently: Jordan graduated from South Side High School last May and is now in her first year of college studying Environmental Science at Arkansas State University in Beebe, Ark.
Future Plans: Jordan’s future plans include graduating with honors, possibly joining the Peace Corp, having a family of her own and helping people in some capacity with environmental or agricultural issues. It is important to her to do something that is fulfilling and worthwhile. Though her goals are not set in stone she is looking toward a bright future.
Jordan said, “4-H isn’t just for small kids, there are plenty of opportunities for teens.” There are good programs for every age and many different paths to take. She said she may even be a 4-H leader at the camp at Ferndale, Ark., because she has enjoyed 4-H so much.
Story and Photo by
Alice Chambers
