Joan Grott has been an extension educator in 4H youth development at Purdue for a total of 19 years now, maintaining a successful career as a non-profit program administrator.
“It’s just a great experience, and it’s entirely volunteer run. In my role, I get to help those people achieve all their 4H goals,” said Grott.
Grott loves when the kids in 4H can reach out to others in public through their clubs public works and finds it’s a good way to learn social skills.
She has a passion for working with the growing youth and to see how everyone progresses throughout the year and is a massive advocate for service learning. She finds that 4H is a way for kids to learn and grow in skills even though they may not excel at school.
“4H is something they choose to be involved with where all of these kids can come together, and they may not be the strongest students at school but they can find success at 4H because we’re just all inclusive and all accommodating," said Grott.
Grott’s favorite part of the year is the fun that comes during the summer. Even though she works year-round, she enjoys being more involved with the kids during the summer, either with the camp she sets up with a group of teenagers or the fair at the end of July.
“Then there’s the Porter County Fair where it’s really the highlight. All of these amazing kids can show off what they can do which is my favorite part," said Grott.
Grott spends the majority of her year working with Purdue, but in her free time during the winter, she enjoys watching high school basketball. She even works as the scoreboard operator at her old home high school, South Central.
“My winter season has been consumed with being a diehard basketball fan,” said Grott.
In addition, Grott is a massive advocate for ulcerative colitis awareness and speaks on it openly. It is a condition Grott suffers from herself, making day-to-day life tougher as the major medicones weren’t making a massive impact. However, that wouldn’t stop her from living her life to its fullest.
“From the beginning I was going to be very open with my story with the hopes that it would help other people learn that even when things are a challenge, you can still succeed at things. A positive attitude goes a long way, no matter what life throws at you," Grott said.
The doctor’s staff told Grott that she was one of his most active patients, and even being one of the most severe ulcerative colitis cases they’ve ever seen.
Grott greatly appreciates being around people and the community of people who’d support her, especially the 4H community of volunteers and families.
“I also think that my drive, ambition and willingness to just roll with the punches has also been a good example for some of our kids as well," Grott said.
Grott reaching out to kids through 4H has been a huge aspect of her life, and encourages individuals to join in the K-12 age rain because it’s such a cool and different experience for any individual's growth.
For more information on Joan Grott’s experience with ulcerative colitis, you can read her blog at http://joannieg.blogspot.com/.