Liz Meany is doing something that nobody has done in Mower County since 2001.

The 16-year-old from Rose Creek was recently named a state 4-H ambassador, which will allow the high school student to travel Minnesota promoting the organization for a year — the first Mower County representative in almost a decade.

Meany will be one of four students from the region — which includes Mower, Freeborn, Steele and Rice counties — and 27 overall from the state that will help with a number of events, most immediately being the Minnesota State Fair.

“I look forward to everything,” she said. “I accept challenges with open arms.”

Meany has been involved with 4-H since she was in third grade and said she was hooked from the start.

A few years later, as an eighth grader, Meany said she noticed older kids doing a lot of fun activities. They were county ambassadors, and Meany wanted to do it as well.

The soon-to-be senior is now in her fourth year as a county ambassador but was looking for a bigger challenge.

So in January, Meany began looking into being a state ambassador. She filled out an application, went through an interview process and was accepted. Her orientation was July 6-9 at the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota, and she can’t wait for the coming year.

In addition to working at the fair — all day, every day for the two weeks, Meany said — ambassadors work as teachers, spokespersons and facilitators. They help set up regional retreats and an annual conference, and are “on-call” if other events come up.

“(We’re) there to help any way we can,” she said.” We are always state ambassadors.”

Meany’s mom, Lyn, said she is very proud of her daughter’s accomplishment.

“I know she’s worked really hard to get this,” Lyn Meany said. “I’m always proud of her.”

Lyn Meany said her daughter asked about joining 4-H years ago because a number of Liz’s friends were joining. Liz said she “tugged her mom’s pants leg” about the opportunity.

Lyn Meany said “yes,” and has supported Liz all the way. Lyn has also supported Laura, 14, and Rachel, 9, who both followed in their older sister’s footsteps and joined 4-H.

Lyn Meany said 4-H keeps Liz busy but has also taught her a lot and has always been a ton of fun.

“Her enthusiasm for everything she does is exhausting for me,” Lyn Meany said with a smile.

Melissa Koch is also very proud of Liz Meany’s accomplishment.

Koch is the Mower County 4-H program coordinator and said she has been looking for someone to represent the county at the state level since she took the job in summer 2006.

“(Liz) always told me she wanted to be a state ambassador,” Koch said. “I’m really glad she was accepted.”

Koch, who participated in 4-H growing up, said the program is so neat because there are opportunities for anyone in kindergarten through the first year of college.

“4-H is everything,” she said. “There are no limitations.”

Koch said Liz Meany is a good representation of what the program stands for.

“She is very outgoing and very passionate about 4-H,” Koch said.

Liz Meany said 4-H has introduced her to many good friends, as well as provided lessons on leadership and helping others.

Meany has put those skills to use — she has made two mission trips to Mexico and one to New Orleans in recent years to help those in need — and she plans on being a doctor someday in a place that is in sore need of them, like Africa, she said.

“I know I want to work with people,” Liz Meany said. “I want to help.”