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The smiles on the faces of the children I work with is reward enough, but receiving the 4‑H Youth in Action Healthy Living Pillar Award was incredibly humbling and inspiring. I’m grateful to live in a community, state, and country that supports youth leaders with such tenacity and strength as National 4‑H Council. Being a 4‑H Youth in Action winner gives me a responsibility to not only continue to reach out to my community and spread the joy of 4‑H, but also make paramount the importance of educating people to live a healthy lifestyle!

The whole experience leading up to the Legacy Awards was surreal. Meeting the other three winners—the most genuine and heartwarming girls I know—made it all the more life-changing. It’s not often that you find yourself in the company of such phenomenal individuals who have the same passion for change as you, so I took advantage of every moment with them! Exploring D.C., we all agreed that one day we’d work together in the White House.

Getting dolled up and meeting with 4‑H’s marvelous supporters at the Legacy Awards was thrilling! Seeing the behind-the-scenes action of such a significant event made me appreciate every individual who contributed to the success of one of the best nights of my life. From being interviewed on the red carpet to receiving an award on stage, I truly felt like a superstar. The best part of it all was sharing my story and meeting others who knew the need for increased awareness of mental health. At my table, I sat by an older woman whose father was in the military, just like mine. She was taken aback by my dedication to the betterment of military communities, and I will never forget the kindness she showed me.

Because of my time spent in D.C. and at the Legacy Awards, I challenge other youth leaders across the country to pursue applying for the 4‑H Youth in Action Awards. The connections and opportunities it provides are not only memorable but noteworthy. If your heart is in your work, this opportunity is for you!

I’m forever indebted to those who helped make my Youth in Action experience amazing, and I look forward to my pillar work that I will accomplish throughout this upcoming year!

4‑H Youth in Action: A Responsibility to Reach Out to My Community
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I applied for the 4‑H Youth in Action Award through the strong encouragement of my older sister. We started 4‑H together, so it felt fitting that she was also involved in one of my biggest attempts within it. When I found out I was a finalist, I felt floored. The finalist call left me flabbergasted. I was sitting in my AP Statistics class when I saw I had a missed call from the East Coast. I was unsure if it was from National 4‑H Council, but I was hopeful. Using the hall pass, I tried to hide my smile as I had the most thrilling conversation in a high school hallway. As we discussed what the upcoming year held for me, one thought persisted: I can’t wait to tell my older sister.

Attending the Legacy Awards was a phenomenal experience in and of itself. My favorite part was meeting the other pillar winners. Kyra-Lee (Citizenship), Serena (Agriculture), and Sophia (Healthy Living) are more than just excellent 4‑Hers; they are fantastic people. I was inspired by their projects and fascinated by the variations in how 4‑H is run in our different states. They showed me that although the programs may not be identical, the values and work ethic we’ve learned in 4‑H are exactly the same.

My trip to DC was filled with adventures. We visited the Newseum, several monuments, had media training, and even got to practice using a teleprompter. It was a whirl of activity, and a whole lot of fun. We each got to do a task in the name of our pillar, whether that be filming a promotional video or speaking on a panel. The whole experience felt empowering; I felt like I was doing something that mattered.

For anyone considering applying for the 4‑H Youth in Action Award, my advice is simple: go for it! Even just the experience of applying has value. The experience is worth the effort and you’ll never know what can happen when you apply.

4‑H Youth in Action: An Experience of Value

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In a generation fueled by the advancement of technology, we experience social and emotional learning unlike anyone before us! While before, behavior was almost completely a product of one’s surroundings, today, we can absorb a demeanor that is entirely foreign to our community. We are like sponges to the world around us! Social media has a huge impact on our lives, for it connects us to the world and gives us a glimpse into the lives of all kinds of people.

It is imperative that we are picky with what comes into our line of sight. Just because it’s on the internet does not mean you have to look at it! When reading or contributing to the world wide web, think about a few things:

  1. Is what I’m reading/saying really true?
    I know it can be easy believing those Twitter tales and Facebook fables that spark a fire in your heart, but take the time to fact check sources and get the true story. This is especially essential when dealing with current events or news stories. The internet is not policed, and users are not obligated to tell the truth! Before sharing something, check and make sure that it is true!
  2. Is it kind?
    If something is not kind, why actively read or share it? If it is offensive to you or to someone else, the best plan of action is to report it and scroll away! There is already so much hate in the world, so try and be the good you want to see!
  3. Does it matter?
    When I took that internet quiz to find out what my spirit animal was, I thought I would get something exciting like a lion. That website must’ve been broken, because it claimed I was an iguana! I could email the quiz maker and throw a fit, but in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, we have the power to decide who we are and how we will carry ourselves!

Although it’s nice to flood our information superhighways with positivity, it is smarter to cultivate positive emotional wellness through effective behaviors against negativity. As 4-H’ers, we want to lead by example. If you are making extra efforts to know the truth, be kind, and pay attention to what matters, your peers will take note of that. Let’s work together to ensure the message we’re sending is a good one!

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Imagine laying on your bed while watching television and moments later you get a phone call that would change your life forever. It’s a scenario that happened to me, and I could not be more thankful that it did!

I answered hesitantly, as it was a number I did not recognize. When I answered, it was Ms. Abbey Tillman who stated, “Consider this is an early Christmas present.” When she relayed the news to me that I had won the 2018 4‑H Youth in Action Citizenship Pillar Award, I was elated. I began to cry and scream, and all I remember saying to my grandmother was, “Grandma! I cannot believe this is happening. I won!” I could not help but feel so blessed.

Months prior to me receiving that phone call, I began my application process. I had to fill out forms, record a video and upload it to YouTube, and have an online interview with National 4-H Council. I patiently waited for months to hear back, and when I did, I felt reassured that my pillar work is much bigger than me.

Being the YIA Citizenship Pillar winner reminds me that I am serving a duty to my community and my 4-H Program. 4-H has been so instrumental in my life and earning the highest honors proves that 4-H is not just a program, it is a part of who I am. I get to advocate for youth like myself and encourage them never to allow obstacles to deter them from where they want to go in life.

This opportunity has truly been a humbling experience thus far. Getting to attend the Legacy Awards was amazing. I was able to interact with alumni, fellow 4-H youth, 4-H luminaries, representatives from my award sponsor Nationwide Insurance Company, employees from Lockheed Martin, National 4-H Council President & CEO Jennifer Sirangelo, and so many other 4-H members and distinguished guests. Walking on the green carpet and embracing the other pillar winners seemed so surreal, but I could not be more proud to say that our time is now!

My message to you, 4-H Youth, is to stay committed to reaching your goals. When you are passionate about something, go for it. Going through this application process reminded me that 4-H has provided me with a platform to grow and because of 4-H, I can say that I too am a True Leader. It is an opportunity of a lifetime, and you will never know what the outcome will be unless you try. So I encourage you to persevere despite the doubt you may feel, remain persistent, stay confident, and always follow your heart because you are never too young to have a voice. I will forever cherish the memories that the 4-H Youth in Action Award has provided me.

After that day, my life has changed for the better. You can do it!

4-H Youth in Action: Using My Voice to Encourage and Advocate for Youth

Attending the National 4‑H Council Legacy Awards to accept the high honor of Youth in Action Award winner has been a goal of mine ever since another member of my 4‑H Club won in 2013. At the Legacy Awards, I had the opportunity to meet United States Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, Aubrey Plaza, and even chat with Jackie Joyner-Kersee who presented me my award. As she presented my award, we hugged, and she told me she was “so proud” of me and what I have accomplished already. That may have been one of the happiest moments of my life!

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I was so amazed as I watched the videos of the other 4‑H Youth in Action winners. It was really special to watch my video for the first time; it captured my personality, my family’s love, and the happiness my animals and 4‑H bring me. As each video was revealed, the audience was left on the edge of their seats. It was such a phenomenal experience. I was thankful for the many people who were able to join me in Washington, D.C., to support me at the Legacy Awards. One of my county educators, my parents, a close 4‑H friend, my state ambassador advisor, and the Oklahoma State 4‑H Director were all able to be there. This just proves that 4‑H really is a family!

Serving as the 4‑H Youth in Action Agriculture Pillar winner has been very exciting. In just this past month alone, I have served on panels for the 4‑H IDEAS Forum, participated in interviews with magazines and newspapers, and even aired on a few television channels! I have always wanted to share my 4‑H story, but this has been bigger than I ever dreamed.

I know my journey for serving 4‑H on the national level is just beginning, but my favorite memory will always be meeting and hanging out with the other pillar winners. We introduced each other to our family traditions and what things are like in our state. Bonding with these girls and knowing there are youth out there who have already made such an impact and left a legacy reminds me that no goal is too big if you set your mind to it. My advice to you is if you want to continue serving for the greatest and largest youth organization in the world and you have a service project, apply for 4‑H Youth in Action in whatever field suits your interests. This experience changed my life; I know it will change yours too.

4-H Youth in Action: An Experience that Changed My Life

As I look back on my 4‑H career, there are certain events that stand out as being particularly impactful, and National 4‑H Conference was one of them. In honor of the 2018 National 4‑H Conference happening this week, I would like to share about my own National Conference experience. I was selected for the 2012 Georgia delegation to attend National 4‑H Conference through a competitive interview process. I flew to Washington, D.C., that April with the rest of the Georgia delegation for a week filled with learning, fun and experiences that created lasting memories.

Part of the time at Conference was spent touring Washington, D.C., meeting with legislators at the Capitol, and hearing from keynote speakers such as former Second Lady Jill Biden and former United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at the National 4‑H Conference Center. However, the majority of the time was spent working in roundtable groups that partnered with federal agencies about current topics that were affecting youth nationwide. The topics for that year included alcohol and drug use prevention, equal education for under-represented groups, youth suicide prevention, healthy eating and living, and integration of veteran and military families into local communities.

The roundtable that I was a part of focused on using science and technology to improve local communities. We spent our roundtable session time brainstorming solution ideas and working on our presentation that we gave at the U.S. Forest Service at the end of the week. It was such an exciting opportunity to be able to present our ideas to an actual government agency in D.C. because our proposal had the chance to make a real-world impact. We celebrated our work and the new friendships with a dinner cruise on the Potomac River to close out the week.

National 4‑H Conference was my second time visiting Washington, D.C., and the National 4‑H Center as I had attended Citizenship Washington Focus the summer before. Through these two experiences, I discovered my love for the D.C. area and decided that I someday wanted to call this place my home. Six years later, I have relocated and am working as a Digital Marketing Intern forNational 4‑H Council. I am thankful for my National 4‑H Conference and CWF experiences because they helped me discover my passions, and they played a role in getting me to where I am today.

Attending National 4‑H Conference allowed me to connect with other 4‑H’ers and leaders from across the country, explore our nation’s capital, and work with a team to develop solutions to a current issue. I have remained connected with many of the people I met that week through social media and am impressed by the things they are accomplishing in their lives today. I am excited to hear about the wonderful things that this year’s group of delegates will accomplish during their time here. I am proud to be 4‑H Grown!

4‑H Alumni Reflection: National 4‑H Conference

Individuals from all walks of life pour into the Ritz Carlton, all united by their common love of 4-H. From Jennifer Sirangelo, the President & CEO of National 4-H Council, to the young 4-H representatives greeting, interviewing, and photographing the guests, the green carpet was brimming with outstanding 4-H’ers, alumni, and supporters.

The most outstanding theme of the evening was confidence. In an interview with a youth green carpet correspondent at the Luminary Reception, Jim Borel of the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees spoke about the confidence that 4-H taught him.

“As a 10-year-old in the club, watching the older members that were leaders, watching people making presentations, and seeing those role models, over time I said ‘Well, maybe I could do that!’, and then I tried it! And because of that, I’ve used the skills I learned in 4-H throughout my entire career.”

Dr. Bo Ryles also cited confidence as the main skill that 4‑H teaches the youth, saying, “4‑H teaches kids so many skills, but I’m going to single out confidence. Confidence to chase their dreams and do the things that really matter, and that can help so many others, not just the kids themselves.”

The confidence that 4‑H teaches its members was best exemplified in the four 2018 4‑H Youth in Action Pillar Winners, Serena Woodard, Kyra-Lee Harry, Sophia Rodriguez, and the National Youth in Action Award Winner, Cassandra Ivie. These young women, along with the other youth involved in this event, perfectly embody the virtues that 4‑H strives to instill in its members.

In its 9th year, the 4-H Legacy Awards has continued to prove that young people will always be at the center of why we do what we do. Their stories of compassion, drive, resilience and strength remind us that without them, the future doesn’t seem as bright. Because the future is in their hands, and they prove it every day.This year’s event, held at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C., honored a new group of honorees made up of young people, 4-H Alumni, partners and advocates. Additionally, we were honored to be joined by a group of elite 4-H grown alumni who have a passion for 4-H and prominent platforms to share that passion.

Young People Take Center Stage

Before any award is given, any partner is recognized, we remember that every day, we serve and empower young people. Our 4‑H’ers.

The evening kicked off with the National 4‑H Youth Advisory Committee sharing how they live by each aspect of the 4‑H Pledge, while members of the Juntos 4‑H program recited the pledge in Spanish. The pledge was followed by Georgia 4‑H’er Callista Clark, using her powerful voice to serenade event attendees with the National Anthem.

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Through service, leadership and passion, the all-female group of 4‑H Youth in Action winners shared their 4‑H stories and the work they do in their communities. The 2018 recipients are: Serena Woodard (Ag – sponsored by Bayer Crop Science); Kyra-Lee Harry (Citizenship – sponsored by Nationwide); Sophia Rodriguez (Healthy Living – sponsored by Bernadett); and Cassandra Ivie (STEM, sponsored by HughesNet). These young people have used the interests they have in their respective pillar areas to be powerful forces in their communities.

The event concluded with the announcement of the 2018 National 4‑H Youth in Action Award winner, awarded to STEM recipient Cassandra Ivie, whose passion to empower more girls in STEM truly shined.

Honoring 4‑H Grown Alumni

This year, we are honored to have proud Georgia 4‑H Grown alumna and 4‑H Luminary Nikki Clifton emcee this year’s event. As the Vice President of UPS Global Public Affairs, Nikki Clifton attended her first Legacy Awards in 2017 as a member of the inaugural 4‑H Luminaries class.

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This year’s Distinguished 4‑H Alumni Medallion award was very fitting as the night’s event took place on National Ag Day. Receiving this year’s Alumni Medallion was Zippy DuVall, Georgia 4‑H alumnus and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. A third-generation farmer, Zippy DuVall remains a voice for agricultural producers and continues to advocate for agriculture education in the country.

Of course, many other alumni were present and even presented for the night. As a special guest, Delaware 4‑H alumna and 2017 Alumni Medallion winner Aubrey Plaza shared her amazing story and announced her new role as a National 4-h Ambassador for Service.

Thanking Strong Partners and Advocates

This year, 4‑H acknowledged David Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer David L. Cohen of Comcast, for the company’s instrumental role in amplifying the 4‑H brand. As the recipient of the 4‑H Brand Champion Award, David’s dedication to 4‑H and telling the story was praised and worth celebrating.

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Another corporate honoree was New York Life, for their continued work in the Latino community through the very successful and expanding Juntos 4‑H Program. The Corporate Leadership Award was accepted by the company’s president, John Y. Kim.

Lastly, legendary Olympic gold medalist and agriculture advocate Jackie Joyner-Kersee joined in on the evening festivities, as she announced a new ag partnership with 4‑H. The inspiring athlete shared her passion for agriculture and the importance of increasing its visibility in urban and all communities.

Check out more photos from the 2018 4‑H Legacy Awards!

On March 20, National 4-H Council will hold its 9th annual Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C., honoring and influencers True Leaders and 4-H Grown Alumni, and bringing together dignitaries, community leaders, entertainers and more to celebrate 4-H and its impact.Here are the honorees and special guests that will be in attendance:

The Host

This year, we are honored to have proud Georgia 4-H Grown alumna and 4-H Luminary Nikki Clifton emcee this year’s event. As the Vice President of UPS Global Public Affairs, Nikki Clifton attended her first Legacy Awards in 2017 as a member of the inaugural 4-H Luminaries class.

Nikki first developed her leadership, public speaking and performing arts skills through 4-H in Clarke County (Athens) Georgia. Under the dedicated guidance of Marilyn Poole and Roger “Bo” Ryles, she mastered in Public Speaking, won the Georgia Governor’s Tray and was ultimately awarded the Presidential Tray for her leadership, citizenship and project work. Nikki served on the Georgia State Board and was a member of the Georgia 4-H Performing Arts Group, 4-H & Company.

4‑H Youth in Action Awards Recipients

The 4‑H Youth in Action Awards recognizes four youth who exemplify what it means to be a True Leader, each impacting their communities through our four pillar areas: agriculture, citizenship, healthy living and STEM.

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Through Oklahoma 4‑H, Agriculture pillar winner (sponsored by Bayer) Serena Woodard developed the leadership skills she needed to start an agricultural education program called “Woodard’s Workshops.” Since the program’s inception five years ago, Serena trained nine youth teachers and six adult volunteers to help expand the program, which has reached 36 counties and more than 40,000 youth.

When Citizenship pillar winner (sponsored by Nationwide) Kyra-Lee Harry was just five years old, her passion for helping others was sparked when she learned that her mom’s lungs had collapsed on both sides. Her commitment to meeting the needs of those in her community allowed her to provide training in leadership, mentorship, and workplace skills to more than 300 young people.

As a military kid, Healthy Living pillar winner (sponsored by Bernadett) Sophia Rodriguez knew that she wanted to help military youth like herself. She developed “Tie Dye for Troops,” creatively helping military youth understand the importance of positive mental health and how to effectively deal with challenges specific to military families. Since the program’s conception, the Georgia 4‑H’er has trained more than 150 youth and adults and has impacted more than 500 kids nationwide.

For STEM pillar winner (sponsored by HughesNet) Cassandra Ivie, being a part of 4‑H meant developing her passion for STEM while learning the value of unity amongst diversity. As a result, the Utah 4‑H’er developed the Incredible Machine, a curriculum and activities kit that allows her to provide STEM resources to youth in various communities and events across the nation.

4-H Alumni and Advocates

While we are proud to honor our young people, we recognize 4‑H Grown alumni and supporters, through their 4‑H experiences and work, are impacting lives today.

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This year, we will award United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue with the Abraham Lincoln Vision Award. Secretary Perdue is a long-standing supporter of 4‑H and continues to advocate for the organization, as well as agriculture education.

Receiving this year’s National Distinguished 4‑H Alumni Medallion is Zippy DuVall, Georgia 4‑H alumnus and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. A third-generation farmer, Zippy DuVall remains a voice for agricultural producers and continues to advocate for agriculture education in the country.

Brand Champion Award

Under the leadership of Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer David Cohen, Comcast has played an instrumental role in raising awareness of 4‑H through the grow True Leaders Campaign since 2016. Since the company’s involvement, 4‑H public service announcement as aired thousands of times at no cost to 4‑H, earning David Cohen the recipient of the 4‑H Brand Champion Award.

Corporate Leadership

Since 2005, the 4‑H and New York Life partnership has focused on supporting families with financial literacy educational programs. This includes the expansion of Juntos 4‑H – a program dedicated to empowering more Latino youth to succeed in high school, graduate on time and pursue a college education.

Learn more about the 2018 4‑H Legacy Awards and how you can support!

Every day, 4‑H’ers across the nation pledge their hands to larger service. And every day, 4‑H’ers are rolling up their sleeves and putting their pledge into action – leading positive change that empowers their peers and their communities.

This April, join 4‑H as we pledge our hands to larger service all month long!

Get ready for the second annual True Leaders in Service initiative, a way for all 4‑H members to say “thank you” to their communities, counties, and states for all the support they have provided to 4‑H for over 100 years. The month-long community service activation will officially kick-off the first day of April, and culminate with the National 4‑H Day of Service on Saturday, April 28.

We are encouraging youth and adults to venture out into the community to lend a helping hand through fundraising, neighborhood clean-up, beautification projects and much more.

Here are just a few True Leaders in Service that are giving back and making an impact in their communities:

  • True Leaders of Illinois 4‑H are pledging their hands to larger #service through the “4‑H Feeding and Growing Our Communities” program! Through this initiative, youth have prepared and distributed a total of over 500K meals to families in the last three years!
  • Under Georgia 4‑H’er and 2017 National 4‑H Youth in Action winner Amelia Day’s leadership, youth provide care packages and create ‘Thank You’ cards to military veterans through Operation: Veteran Smiles! Since it’s inception, the program has impacted more than 4,000 veterans and has engaged more than 6,500 volunteers.

You can also check out our True Leaders in Service photo album on Facebook!

To learn more, register your service project, or find a planned service event in your area, visit www.4-H.org/true-leaders-in-service.

Help us make a positive, lasting impression on our community and celebrate the True Leaders making a difference through service.

True Leaders In Service