Orleans 4-Her chosen for a ‘Day in the Life’ experience at NBC in New York City

Staff Reports Posted 17 February 2017 at 8:11 pm

John Gabalski

Orleans County 4-H member John Gabalski has been chosen by the National 4-H Council to shadow MSNBC and NBC News anchor Craig Melvin during a “Day in the Life Experience” on Wednesday at NBC studios in New York City.

John is 15-years old and is a member of the Orleans County 4-H Rabbit Raisers Club, Outback Orleans Club, and 4-H Senior Council.

He was nominated for the opportunity by Orleans County 4-H educator Robert Batt and was selected from among youth 4-H leaders in New York State.

John has been involved in Orleans County 4-H since the age of 5, when he joined as a Cloverbud. He is a 10th grader enrolled in the Seton Home Study School Program and lives in Byron with his parents, Walter and Kristina Gabalski.

“It’s going to be a great experience,” John said. “It relates to the career I am interested in and my future goals.”

The “Day in the Life” experiences are part of the 4-H Grows alumni outreach effort to connect notable 4-H alumni to 4-H youth.

File photo by Tom Rivers: John Gabalski is pictured with a pen of rabbits during the 4-H animal meat auction in August 2015. Robert Bannister, in back, served as auctioneer for the event.

“These experiences will offer a 4-Her the opportunity to shadow an alum in their everyday career setting, experiencing their leadership in action through immersion activities, participating in meaningful leadership experience with the alum themselves, illustrating how 4-H alumni are paying it forward to the next generation of leaders,” the National 4-H Council said.

Dvon Williams, director of integrated marketing, National 4-H Council, noted John was chosen because of his interest in journalism and broadcasting and his role as a 4-H news reporter.

John’s experience on Feb. 22 will include meeting with Craig Melvin to learn more about his background and career; participation in a rundown meeting with Melvin and the news team; a tour of the New York City studio; and watching Melvin’s full-hour broadcast live in studio.

John’s parents say they are excited about the trip.

“We are grateful for the opportunities 4-H provides for our children,” Walter and Kristina Gabalski said in a statement. “They have learned about leadership both in their club-related activities, at the annual 4-H Fair, and through hands-on, real-life immersion experiences such as Career Explorations at Cornell University, Capitol Days in Albany, and the upcoming trip to NBC in New York City.”

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