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With support from National 4‑H Council and funding from the New York Life Foundation, Juntos 4‑H continues to work towards expanding its reach, providing skills and resources where it’s needed most, educating youth and families, and ultimately, bringing communities together.
The date is set and the countdown is on for the 2017 4‑H Youth in Action Awards Program! These awards are the highest honors National 4‑H Council grants to outstanding 4‑H’ers who embody 4‑H youth empowerment and leadership.
So what does it mean to be a 4‑H Youth in Action recipient? Since being honored, our 2016 winners have received once-in-a-lifetime opportunities in their fields of interest to learn, mentor, inform and inspire others to be leaders in their communities through action and service.
Get reacquainted with the 2016 4‑H Youth in Action winners, Ru, Thad, Lexie and Jacob, and see what they’ve been up to since being honored.
“Stepping forward into my future, I have an unlikely confidence in my future—a confidence that I have 4‑H to thank.”
Ruwanthi (Ru) Ekanayake, through University of California Cooperative Extension, is the 2016 winner in the Healthy Living pillar, sponsored by Molina Healthcare. As a member of the National 4‑H Healthy Living Ambassador team, Ru has been instrumental at bringing 4‑H’ers across the country together. She has also launched The Fourth H blog and created a Healthy Living Youth Summit for nine counties in Southern California.
Since her win as the Healthy Living and National winner, Ru has continued her work as an advocate for health and wellness. As the National Healthy Living youth spokesperson, she participated in a national 2017 4‑H Youth in Action webinar, sharing her experience and journey as a 4‑H Youth in Action Award recipient.
“I am blessed, through 4‑H, with the ability to connect with other youth that share a passion and vision for a better world.”
Thaddeus (Thad) Hughes, through University of Illinois Cooperative Extension, is the recipient of the 2016 STEM pillar award, sponsored by HughesNet. Thad has been a mentor for FIRST Lego League and Illinois State Robotics Competition teams for four years. Over the course of his work in 4‑H, he has helped to introduce STEM and robotics to more than 6,000 youth across Illinois.
In the past few months, Thad has continued to share and strengthen his passion for STEM and robotics. He received hands-on experience as an intern at HughesNet, where he served as a mentor/facilitator of their exclusive 4‑H National Youth Science Day Preview Event. He also appeared in a segment for the 2016 American Graduate Day broadcast, where he was joined by NASA astronaut and 4‑H alumna Peggy Whitson.
“I can’t wait to encourage our youth to work to obtain whatever their dreams may be! All it takes is someone to ask us to step up and be a leader.”
The winner of the 2016 Citizenship pillar is Lexie Lerblance, through Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension. As her 4‑H Project of Excellence, Lexie helped create TLC Wig Closet, a non-profit that provides wigs, head coverings, bras and prosthesis for women suffering from breast cancer. Through her 4‑H experience, she has spoken at the Pink Ribbon Luncheon and gave presentations to the Federal Board of Education.
Since being honored as the Citizenship pillar winner, Lexie has continued her work in serving her community. She attended the 4‑H Citizenship Washington Focus with the Oklahoma delegation, where she learned what it really means to be a good citizen. Additionally, she was inducted into the Oklahoma 4‑H Hall of Fame, ranked number one in her state.
“I hope to motivate those with learning difficulties to join 4‑H, to reach for that brass ring and attain success.”
Jacob Shuman, through Ohio State University Cooperative Extension, is the 2016 Agriculture & Animal Science winner. He earned this award by creating TEACH B’s (Teens Educating Adults and Children about Honey Bees), a program that educates people about the importance of honeybees in pollinating crops and the need to help them survive in changing climates.
Jacob’s passion for bee care and awareness has since grown tremendously since his Youth in Action win. He had the opportunity to visit the Bayer CropScience facility and took in their bee exhibit and greenhouse.
Lazarus, who grew up in New York City, got involved with 4‑H as a sophomore in high school when he joined the group for a week in Washington, D.C., with other young leaders. “I remember on the last day, I cried because it was over,” he said. “I never looked back from there.”
At 22, Lazarus is now a youth member of the board of National 4‑H Council. “This is a group you’ll feel connected to forever,” he said. “I have lifelong friends because of 4‑H.”
We talked to Lazarus about how being a part of 4‑H helped him get where he is today.
Lazarus Lynch (LL): It taught me to be conscious of the world around me. That means taking note of the issues and the people around you and compassionately responding. Because being a leader is really about serving others.
4‑H also taught me how important listening is. When I traveled around New York, I would listen to the stories of kids who grew up on farms and whose parents were in 4‑H. I didn’t have that story, but I knew I could learn from them. Because at the end of the day we were all there for the same reason: We believed our voices mattered, and we believed in the ability of young people to respond to issues that mattered to us.
LL: 4‑H believes in the possibility of young people. It teaches kids that we’re powerful, that we’re not broken, that we can do things—we can do great things.
It’s not just another after school program. It’s about creating a conversation that reflects service and that really inspires you to speak up. We were thinking about issues that others kids maybe had never thought about. Like, how will we feed 7 billion people by the year 2050? Or how do we use robotics and STEM to create different kinds of technologies for people with disabilities? Those were questions we were asking ourselves in high school.
LL: 4‑H has taught me those soft skills you need to lead, like commitment and follow-through and responsibility. For example, my website, Son of a Southern Chef, requires my dedication and commitment. I think some people think it kind of happens organically, but there’s actually a lot of work that goes into it. So I use those skills every day.
It has also given me opportunities. Being a youth board member gives me a platform that I wouldn’t have otherwise, and I’ve met other board members I would not have gotten to meet otherwise. I’ve also worked for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., where I was learning about the farm bill or speaking one-on-one with the secretary of agriculture.
LL: My father was a business-owner all my life. He only ever worked for himself. He had a sense of confidence and leadership that I took for granted for many years.
He taught me about believing in yourself, believing that your dreams matter, and believing that you’re capable of pursuing your dreams. My dad barely passed high school because in his senior year my oldest brother was born. That was a real challenge for him, and he overcame that. He didn’t relent. He went to work, and then he started his own business when he was, like, 22.
He showed me a lot about being a man— what a man looks like today: Someone who takes care of their family, who provides, who is a good listener, who is a good father. He was just second to none, and that’s the kind of dad I want to be for my kids one day.
For more on the connection between healthy living and leadership, we spoke with Becky Johnson, the executive director of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with the mission of ending childhood obesity. Johnson says that healthy habits help kids succeed in all areas of their lives.
What are the most important health habits to teach children?
Becky Johnson (BJ): Our motto at the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation is “healthy decisions that create healthy habits for life.” As a community – parents, schools, healthcare providers, government and non-governmental organizations – we need to educate and inform children and their families about making the best decisions when it comes to diet and physical activity and help them understand the long-term benefits of those decisions throughout their life. By providing families with the products, tools and information they need to achieve a healthy diet and active lifestyle, we are empowering them to establish patterns of behavior that will last a lifetime and that they can pass onto their children.
As for specific healthy lifestyle recommendations, individuals, especially children, should consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein and get 30-60 minutes of physical activity daily. However, it is important for adults and children to also understand that all foods in moderation can fit in a balanced diet and and healthy eating pattern.
BJ: By embracing healthy lifestyle habits, children become role models for their peers. Peer-to-peer testimonials are a powerful tool in educating and informing other children about the importance of healthy lifestyle decisions. In addition, there is a connection between nutrition and physical activity and academic performance and behavior in children. Young people who have access to nutritious meals and the proper amount of physical activity perform better academically and have less absenteeism and behavioral issues than those who don’t.
BJ: At a very young age, children model their parent’s behavior. If they see mom and dad making healthy decisions and developing healthy habits, many children will adopt those habits as well. So the most important thing parents can do is make healthy decisions and be a role model for their children. Likewise, educating and informing their children about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle is a critical part of the communication process. By making healthy decisions and developing healthy habits, parents and children can avoid obesity and obesity-related diseases like diabetes, stroke and heart disease, and may have a healthier, longer and more active life.
BJ: That food and physical activity are fun! We have such a wonderful food environment in this country, and from cooking at home to dining out, there is tremendous access to healthy food choices that are good for you and bursting with flavor. Likewise, there are so many opportunities to get moving. Find the foods, culinary experiences and physical opportunities you enjoy and are passionate about and live life to the fullest.
What are the best things about 4‑H’s healthy living activities?
BJ: National 4‑H Council has been a wonderful partner for the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation and does a tremendous job of promoting overall wellness – including diet, physical activity, mental health and personal safety. These activities build character, leadership and self-esteem that will serve children well now and throughout their adult lives.
Last fall, we partnered with Text, Talk, Act to bring the conversation to our 4‑H programs. Due to the tremendous success, we are extending our partnership to make Text, Talk, Act available to 4‑H programs for your school and summer camp programming.
Text, Talk, Act uses text messaging to facilitate a face-to-face conversation on mental health. Participants gather in small groups (3-4 people) with one cell phone per group. They text START to the number 89800 to receive a series of text messages that guides their group through a conversation on mental health: why it is important, how to care for it, and how to help a friend in need. The text messages include videos, social media interactions, polling questions and discussion questions.
Throughout the month of June, 4‑H is teaming up to bring Text, Talk, Act to all of our 4‑H programs, free of charge*. Here are four things you can do to help out:
If you are interested in learning more about Text, Talk, Act, please contact Raquel Goodrich at rgoodrich@email.arizona.edu
California 4-H
Erika is a California 4-H volunteer and a mother of two children who both participate in 4-H. Here’s her story:
“4-H is very important to me, and gives me the opportunity to help my community. It is also an opportunity to support my two children in educational programs. I volunteer at many events in my community and I try to set a good example to my children. Sharing with others our time and talents is the best way to help! . . . We have two clubs and our vision is to open more! Ours is a small community with a large number of Hispanic and low-income students; 4-H will help many families!
THANKS 4-H!”
"El programa ayudara a muchas familias. ¡GRACIAS 4-H!" - Erika, California 4-H
Kyle is a Delaware 4-H alum who is currently majoring in agribusiness:
4-H has impacted Kyle’s life in many ways. It has given him the direction and guidance to work toward and achieve his goals. Kyle comes from what is considered to be an underserved community. His influence in that community and school has been felt throughout by achieving goals only hard work and determination can achieve. He has a powerful work ethic that has encouraged his fellow club members to reach for higher goals and accomplishments that is felt throughout his community. Kyle is well known in Sussex County for his many accomplishments and is an example to all young people that setting goals and working toward them can be done.
"Being in this program, I’ve been able to break through that shell and it’s easier for me to talk to new people now." - Royce, Idaho 4-H
"4-H has been and still is so much more than a club or program, it is my true love." - Allison, Iowa 4-H
"This helped increase my social skills and made me the well-rounded 4-H leader I am today." - Alexis, Louisiana 4-H
“I have been in 4‑H for 3-1/2 years. During that time, 4‑H has helped me learn a lot about leadership, teamwork and communication (public speaking). Being in 4‑H has also helped me develop better decision-making skills, it has helped me be more responsible and take charge of my life.
Participating in the Citizenship Washington Focus program has changed my life. Traveling to Washington, D.C. has given me a new look on life. Before this trip I was not sure where I was going but today I know I am going to college and I would like to be an educator. This experience helped me to learn more about 4‑H and my government, things that will help me be a better 4‑H’er and citizen. I have always been a little shy, but CWF gave me the opportunity to meet and interact with people from different backgrounds and communities. This gave me confidence in myself and my abilities.”
"Being in 4‑H helped me develop better decision-making skills, be more responsible, and take charge of my life." – Jerry, Mississippi 4‑H
“4‑H has helped me amplify my love for agriculture, and build my skills in other areas that are important to me, such as: Citizenship, Sewing, Cooking, and Photography. 4‑H has also helped me to become a confident individual. I have helped improve my community by volunteering my abilities to do different community service projects with my club and with my friends. I love when I get the chance to participate in community service projects that younger generations are involved in because I feel like I am leading them to do good in their lives also.”
"4‑H has also helped me to become a confident individual." – Emily, Nebraska 4‑H
Showing days are over, It’s time for college
From a 4-leaf clover, I leave with my knowledge
From a girl who was once shy, and had no clue what to do in the ring
Saying goodbye with a cry, Especially in the spring
Showing taught me a lot, Most importantly responsibility
I gave it all I got, With much acceptability
Win or lose, Different judge every time, Can put you in the blues
But worth every dime . . .
I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for this
Made a lot of friends along the way, Ones I’ll definitely miss
My goal in life is to help others, So that’s what I’m going to do
Make a difference in my life and another’s—Maybe yours too
