At age 19, Christopher Stauffer of Enterprise, is already a businessman, craftsman, college student and community volunteer.

This week he adds being a delegate to the National Rural Youth Assembly in Sante Fe, N.M., to an already lengthy resume.

There are only 53 young people in the country, age 18-25, invited to take part in this event, which starts today (Thursday) and continues through April 25.

In a very competitive selection process, assembly participants were selected on the basis of leadership, community involvement, personal interests and achievements.

The assembly – which includes the geographical, racial and ethnic diversity of rural America – will provide a forum to discuss such critical issues as job creation, education, local culture and conserving natural resources.

Stauffer is a 2009 graduate of Enterprise High School and now attends Eastern Oregon University entirely on-line while continuing to live in Enterprise.

” I just love Wallowa County, and get to do a lot of things other college students don’t – like be a volunteer Enterprise fireman,” Stauffer said.

In addition to being a fireman and among other community activities, Stauffer is on the board of directors of Chief Joseph Summer Camp and the Maxville Project, and plays in the Grande Ronde Orchestra. He is a furniture refinisher and a business partner with his parents in Stauffer’s Refinishing.

“I’m very excited,” he said before heading east just a little early. Stauffer’s plans were to be with his sister, Laura, when she ran in the Boston Marathon before going to Sante Fe for the assembly.

“I have never been on the East Coast and never been on a commercial flight. … I’m an Eastern Oregon boy so it should be quite an experience.”

He was also very much looking forward to making contact with other young people from around the nation and their approach to the issues of rural America.

During his senior year of high school Stauffer and two other EHS students made a video about natural resource issues in Wallowa County for the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition through Wallowa Resources.

The long-range goal of the National Rural Assembly is to make the country stronger by improving the outlook for rural communities.