Agriscience students win competition again

For the second straight year, a three-person team of agriscience education majors at MSU won the case competition and nominated their hero into the Multicultural Heroes Hall of Fame.

Team members nominated Sitting Bull, a chief and medicine man considered the last Sioux to surrender to the U.S. government, for his courage to fight for what he believed.

They focused on his values and accomplishments in agriculture and education.

“I think participants gain a better understanding of some of the significant heroes from the various cultures who may have been overlooked but have contributed to social justice and human rights,” said Darrell King, assistant director of the Multicultural Business Programs and case competition chairperson.

Two of this year’s winners, Kara and Kendra Butters of Homer, took first place in the contest last year for their nomination of activist Cesar Chavez.

“Last year my team did not anticipate winning the event,” Kendra Butters said. “This year, however, we were hoping to win once again to showcase the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) and our hero Sitting Bull.”

Members of the winning team, The Multicultural Educators, are:

• Kara and Kendra Butters, seniors majoring in agriscience education. They expect to graduate in May 2004. Both are CANR ambassadors and actively involved with the Agricultural Education Club.

“Participating reminded me that the true heroes in life are those who try to impact others and serve their communities,” Kara Butters said. “Just as Sitting Bull did, real heroes stand up for what they believe and are willing to step out even if they are looked upon negatively.”

“The contest has given me a stronger sense of appreciation for multiculturalism,” Kendra Butters said. “It taught me a great deal about multicultural heroes who have impacted civil rights.”

• Scott Smalley is studying agriscience education and expects to graduate in May 2005. Smalley is involved with the Block and Bridle Club and the Agricultural Education Club. He also is an agricultural ambassador.

“This contest definitely gave me an outlook on multicultural education and the value it has,” Smalley said. “I will someday be in a classroom teaching students from multicultural backgrounds. Having the opportunity to learn about others’ heroes allowed me to have a sense of others’ backgrounds.”

The second-place team, Power of Three, presented their hero Gandhi, a man who used principles of non-violence to resolve issues in society.

The goal of the competition was to create an educational program that honored heroes from various cultures who epitomize Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream. It focused on improving student knowledge of Black History Month and multicultural leaders who have had a significant impact on the world. This program helped to promote diversity and multiculturalism, develop professional presentation skills and promote a sense of cultural efficacy for all people.

Copyright 2001 Michigan State University Division of University Relations.