Jennifer Golbuff of Albert Lea was recently recognized as one of three Minnesota Women of Today 2016 Outstanding Young Adults. Since 1974, MNWT has annually presented the award. It is a scholarship project designed to recognize young adults who show excellence in leadership abilities and involvement in community activities.

Nominated by Glenville Women of Today, Golbuff is a young adult truly deserving of this award, according to a press release. Eighteen-year-old Golbuff has been actively involved in community service with her church, 4-H, FFA, Girl Scouts, band, choir, theater and class leadership. She has been a strong-willed achiever ever since she was young.

A member of two different churches, Golbuff became very involved in their youth groups at an early age. Her involvement led to fundraising, Bible camp leadership, food drives, caroling and feeding the hungry. She also participated in mission trips to Chicago and Nicaragua. During these trips, she helped to build homes, distribute food and water, gave emergency kits to and prepared meals for the homeless, and created kits for those who lost a young family member to gang violence.

A 13-year member of 4-H, Golbuff held various board positions, executed many events and attended the national 4-H Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., which was a wonderful opportunity for her to learn, grow and tour the nation’s capital.

She stated, “The 4-H program holds a special place in my heart because it taught me practical life skills and helped me to break out of my introvert(ed) shell at a very young age.”

In addition, Golbuff has been very engaged in FFA, where she led an Agricultural Safety Day for elementary-aged students, participated in several local and state speaking competitions, attended national convention, worked at the Minnesota State Fair, and created a petition and presentation for funding a local greenhouse used for classes and community members.

She has been a highly active member of Girl Scouts, culminating in receiving the Gold Award (equivalent to the Boy Scout’s Eagle Award). While achieving this award, she designed blueprints, procured funding, and built picnic tables for a church camp. Additionally, Golbuff was a delegate at national conferences held in Utah and Colorado, participated in the Girl Scouts Leadership Initiative, completed counselor training, and founded the Older Girl Committee that creates fun events for the older attendees, as well as presentations on how to avoid peer pressure.

“Girl Scouts taught me to take a look around the community and see what needs to be done,” she said. “I have done so in the past and plan to do so in the future.”

Through her years of involvement in a variety of honorable organizations, Golbuff has developed into an inspirational leader. By helping others around her learn, grow and reach their potential, she is spreading the message that with hard work everyone can succeed. She declared: “I am very grateful to those who helped hone my leadership skills, believed in me, and shaped me into who I am today.”

As one judge stated, “I love the message that anyone can succeed and it seems Jenni is an advocate for this.” Glenville Women of Today, her nominating chapter said, “Jenni is a natural leader and follows through on organizing and implementing programs. Jenni is always willing to lead events or participate in different projects. She is a very energized, optimistic person.”