4‑H Youth in Action Awards

Amelia Day - National and Civic Engagement Pillar Winner - 2017

When Amelia Day escorted her father to an appointment at a veteran’s hospital in 2012, she didn’t know that the visit would spark an idea for a 4‑H service project that would reach far beyond her hometown. A 4‑H’er since elementary school, Amelia knew first-hand the transformative power of 4‑H; she’d seen the difference 4‑H opportunities made in her own life to aid her in overcoming a difficult speech impediment. At age 13, when she sensed a need for encouragement and support for our nation’s veterans, she put the leadership skills she’d learned in 4‑H into action, and Operation: Veteran Smiles was born. This service initiative provides care packages, notes of encouragement and musical therapy to veterans at the Carl Vinson Veteran’s Hospital in Dublin, Georgia. Over the past 5 years, Operation: Veteran Smiles has impacted more than 4,000 veterans and engaged more than 6,500 volunteers with the help of 4‑H clubs, volunteers and grants.  Learn more about Operation: Veteran Smiles.

Samuel Sugarman - Agriculture Pillar Winner - 2017

Growing up on a farm, Samuel Sugarman realized in his teen years that youth in his San Diego suburb didn’t experience many opportunities to be outdoors. These youth were glued to cell phones, computers and television screens much of the time and had little to no understanding of where their food comes from. A 4‑H’er since the age of 9, Samuel had developed life skills like public speaking and goal setting, while learning from adult mentors who modeled servant leadership. Drawing on these skills he’d developed in 4‑H, Samuel created the free Farm Tour Program to connect youth in his community with animals and nature. Since the program’s inception, Samuel has led hundreds of Farm Tours for scout troops, youth groups and school groups. Through these tours, he taught youth about stewardship, compassion, patience and gratitude. In 2016, Samuel was honored for his service work with the Congressional Gold Medal for Service by Congressman Darrell Issa.

Bryanne Sanchez - Healthy Living Pillar Winner - 2017

Bryanne Sanchez became an advocate for healthy living in her community as her 4‑H club's first Healthy Living Officer. Using this platform, Bryanne sought to bring initiatives promoting a healthy lifestyle to her Club and community. As her 4‑H club’s Healthy Living officer, she launched the annual Color Me Green Run in Imperial County. Annually, more than 250 runners participate in this fun, three-mile race that encourages youth and adults to stay active. She was instrumental in implementing the All 4‑Health Fair at the California State Leadership Conference, working to partner with other organizations to provide healthy living activities. Realizing that a healthy lifestyle includes both physical and mental well-being, Bryanne partnered with Creating Community Solutions to organize a Text, Talk, Act forum that provided more than 200 youth with the opportunity to discuss these topics in a healthy environment.

Ava Lonneman - STEM Pillar Winner - 2017

Ava Lonneman, a 17-year-old 4‑H'er through Ohio State University Cooperative Extension, doesn't let gender stereotypes get in her way when it comes to pursuing her dreams. Though told in elementary school that STEM "isn't for girls", Ava relentlessly pursued STEM herself and sought to bring STEM programming to her peers. As founder of a STEM mentoring program and her school's 4‑H Makers Club, Ava has reached more than 1,600 youth using 4‑H curricula such as Junk Drawer Robotics and National Youth Science Day activities. She's organized a robotics competition, and is working to organize a Technology in Fashion Expo at Kent State University. When she graduates in 2018, Ava plans to attend college and pursue a career in a STEM+M field, with the ultimate goal of becoming a university president.

Ruwanthi "Ru" Ekanayake - National and Healthy Living Pillar Winner - 2016

Ruwanthi “Ru” Ekanayake launched the first-ever 4‑H Healthy Living blog, allowing 4‑H’ers to share their stories, build bridges and create national discussions about health. She also organized a successful Healthy Living Summit across nine counties in California through the University of California Cooperative Extension, which led to more youth starting local healthy living programs including farm-to-table gardening and cyber-safety programs. As a member of the National 4‑H Healthy Living Ambassador Team, she is committed to helping people live their best lives by advocating a more holistic approach to healthy living that includes healthy nutritional habits as well as mental and emotional well-being.

Jacob Shuman - Agriculture and Animal Sciences Pillar Winner - 2016

Jacob Shuman became an advocate for bees through Ohio State University Cooperative Extension after finding out that Ross County was one of the unhealthiest counties in Ohio. In response to these findings he developed Teens Educating Adults and Children about Honey Bees (TEACH B) program. Through the TEACH B program, Shuman leads live bee education, demonstrations and lessons on the importance of bees to agriculture and the economy. He is an Ohio State ambassador and the recipient of the National 4‑H Council Merck Youth Agriculture Advocacy Award, and he has the honor of being recognized by Ohio Senator Bob Peterson for his work in environmental sciences.

Alexandria “Lexie” Lerblance - Civic Engagement Pillar Winner - 2016

Alexandria “Lexie” Lerblance is the co-founder of the Teresa Lane Compton (TLC) Memorial Wig Closet. The appointment-only closet is named after her grandmother, a hairstylist who recently died of cancer. The wig closet provides free high-quality wigs, head coverings, bras and prosthesis to cancer patients going through treatments. Lerblance has had the opportunity to spread the word about cancer awareness through various speaking engagements including the Pink Ribbon Luncheon and the Federal Board of Education. Utilizing the leadership skills she has gained through Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension, the TLC Wig Closet has raised over $15,000 in donations.

Thaddeus Hughes - STEM Pillar Winner - 2016

Through talks, demonstrations, workshops and interviews, Thaddeus Hughes has engaged more than 6,000 youth in the wonders of science. He has been a mentor for FIRST Lego League and the Illinois State Robotics Competition for four years. As a mentor, Thad has been responsible for organizing and demonstrating new technologies and the engineering process. Simultaneously, he developed an afterschool program through the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension called Spinning Robots in which he taught 50 middle schoolers basic circuitry and how to build simple robots. He is currently studying engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the top school in the nation for engineering.

Nosa Akol - 2015 Youth in Action Award Winner

National 4‑H Council is pleased to announce the winner of the 2015 Youth In Action Award is Nosa Akol. Nosa is a 17 year old senior at Binghamton High School in New York. Her 4‑H experience began when she joined CITIZEN U 4‑H her freshman year of high school.

According to Nosa, CITIZEN U 4‑Hhelped her overcome bullying, develop self-confidence and build leadership and public speaking skills. She was a delegate at the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute. As a Wallace-Carver Fellow, Nosa received a paid internship at the Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health at Cornell University where she worked as a Biological Science Aide.

Nosa, was also invited to be a panelist at the Norman Borlaug Symposium where she had the opportunity to speak with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about how micro-farming could help women and girls in South Sudan. In addition, Nosa delivered the keynote address at the 4‑H Career Explorations at Cornell University.

Within her community, Nosa was involved in the Great Pothole Solution Project to help map the location of potholes throughout the city of Binghamton. This spring, Nosa will partner with 4‑H alum Lazarus Lynch to lead a Hunger Banquet and Poverty Simulation to educate her community about childhood hunger and how they can become “hunger champions” in the fight to end world hunger.

As Nosa says, “My experiences in CITIZEN U 4‑H undid years of painful bullying opened new doors and opportunities for me, and set me on a path to be an agent for change. 4‑H changed my life.” Congratulations Nosa!

Andres Parra - 2014 Youth in Action Award Winner

Andres Parra is a remarkable Arizona 4 H’er who credits 4 H for putting him on a path to success, and empowering him to have a similarly positive impact on his peers and community.

Growing up as part of a Mexican immigrant family, Parra experienced many obstacles in life and struggled to find motivation to excel in school. He was introduced to the 4‑H/United Healthcare Eat4‑Health program and discovered a passion for nutrition and exercise that led to more productive academic and personal health habits.

These habits led to compelling personal results for Parra, who dropped from 200 to 146 pounds by his senior year. Through the program, Parra also had an opportunity to lead community events and interactive educational activities empowering other young people to pursue healthy lifestyles. As a teen ambassador, Parra taught more than 200 5th and 6th graders about nutritious eating habits and healthy choices.

His success as a youth ambassador opened the door to work for University of Arizona as an Instructional Aide at the Tucson Farm Village, where he taught nutrition to youth through the 4‑H Pima County Cooperative Extension program.

Parra is currently attending Pima Community College and plans to transfer to the University of Arizona and major in Nutritional Science.

Elisabeth D. Willis - 2013 Youth in Action Award Winner

Elisabeth D. Willis is a junior in high school student, born and raised in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma. She has been an Oklahoma 4 H’er since the age of five. In 2009, she applied and was selected to serve as a Oklahoma State 4 H Ambassador and is currently serving in her fourth year in this role. Her service has included travel to various places including Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia.

Elisabeth is being honored with the Youth in Action award for her service learning project which has raised $10,000 for the Therapeutic Equestrian Association of McAlester (TEAM). TEAM is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping youth and adults with disabilities

access equine therapy. Many of the volunteers who make TEAM possible are present or past 4‑H members and their parents. Elisabeth helped establish a local TEAM 4‑H club to raise awareness of the program, as well as hosting an annual musical festival, all profits of which go directly to TEAM.

Elisabeth says, “4‑H has impacted my life in so many ways. It has not only provided me with leadership development but also service learning project opportunities. Being so active in 4‑H as well as other organizations has challenged my life in an abundant way. I have learned through past 4‑H experiences that with help from others, I am not alone.”

In addition to her involvement in 4‑H, Elisabeth also plays basketball and is an active church member. Her future goals are to attend a bible college for at least one year and then to attend Southwestern Christian University, majoring in Sports Therapy.

Nate Seese - 2012 Youth in Action Award Winner

Nate Seese is an active 15-year-old who found a way to make a difference in his East Lansing, Michigan, community through 4 H.

When he joined the organization five years ago, he was able to combine his passion for raising livestock and his commitment to serving those in need. During his time in Byron Center Busy Workers 4‑H Club, he raised market lambs and hogs, and showed his projects at the Kent County Youth Fair.

But there was something more he wanted to do. Something that could reach beyond the applause for a profitable auction of his livestock.

Nat saw hunger was a problem in his community when he volunteered at the local food pantry. There, he says, it was “flooded with people who needed help.”

He coordinated with local businesses and found a way to donate meat from his 4‑H projects to local Byron Center’s food pantry. In two years, he’s provided 1,000 lbs of meat.

When he is not working on his 4‑H projects, the high school freshman is active in the jazz band and his local church. He also volunteers with a number of local organizations serving dinners and lending a hand at the Buist Community Assistance Center.

Nate plans to attend college after high school, and is considering studying Food Sciences or Pharmacy.

Morgan Billingslea-Walker - 2011 Youth In Action Award Winner

The 2011 4‑H Youth in Action Award was given to Morgan Billingslea-Walker. While overcoming personal health issues, Morgan led the effort to make health and nutrition programs available to those in her neighborhood. She has offered them the opportunity for a better, healthier lifestyle.

Samantha Jo Ridley - 2010 Youth In Action Award Winner

The 2010 4‑H Youth in Action Award was given to 4‑H’er Samantha Jo Riddley, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota, and the first to attend college. Through 4‑H, she has helped her community in many ways, and has used her involvement in archery to bring the tradition back to her tribe.

Grace Baxter - Agriculture - Dripping Springs, Texas

Combining her love for agriculture with her desire to impact others, Grace Baxter co-founded the program “Center of the Plate” – a non-profit organization that provides meat protein to families in need in her community. By encouraging 4‑H’ers and others who raise market animals to donate their animals to Center of the Plate, Grace’s program has provided meat protein for 12 families (totaling 70 family members) over the past two years, resulting in more than 10,000 meals. Grace used the leadership skills she gained in 4‑H to collaborate with her 4‑H peers & others to form a steering committee, fundraise, and promote the program, garnering support & in-kind donations from businesses across her community. A freshman at Blinn College studying Agri-Business & Animal Science, Grace serves as a mentor for the 4‑H’ers who coordinate the program today.

Astoria Ho - Agriculture - Mountain View, California

After reading an article in a local newspaper, Astoria Ho learned about Alta Vista Alternative High School’s sustainable farming garden. She took notice of a goat in the background of the photo in the newspaper, and wondered what public high school in Silicon Valley would own a goat! Having been involved in raising pygmy goats through 4‑H for eight years, Astoria knew she wanted to get involved. Using skills in goal setting, teamwork and adaptability, Astoria developed a curriculum based on what she had learned in 4‑H and started teaching lessons twice a month about goats to the school’s Health Science Careers class. Through her work, Astoria exposes students who did not succeed in traditional school with information about agriculture and the possibilities of careers within the field. She hopes that her curriculum can be adapted for other schools in urban areas to continually promote the study of animal science & agriculture. Astoria plans to pursue animal science in college.

Jairus Iwasaki - Civic Engagement- Hilo, Hawaii

Jairus Iwasaki is passionate about the opportunities available in 4‑H to explore various interests with the support & encouragement of the 4‑H community. Through 4‑H, Jairus learned about gardening, science, cooking and more, but what he was really interested in was marketing. In 2014, he formed the Hilo Youth Video Production 4‑H club with his peers to promote the 4‑H program through community outreach, civic engagement & video production. With this club, he created 30-second to 7-minute public service announcements for Na Leo TV, a local public access station. His public service announcements after Hurricane Iselle prompted the donation of more than 2,500 pounds of food and hygiene products for those who were affected by the hurricane. Though this club, Jairus learned the importance of relationships, teamwork and problem solving when serving as a leader.

Huy Nguyen - Civic Engagement- Provo, Utah

After Huy Nguyen immigrated to the United States from Vietnam, he had a difficult time making friends. He was unfamiliar with popular television shows and books, so he struggled connecting with his peers. After attending the 4‑H Teen Leadership Training, he had the opportunity to share his background and culture. He was excited to share his story, and others were excited to learn from him. From this experience, Huy did not want anyone to feel like a “loner,” so he created an afterschool program at Larsen Elementary School in Spanish Fork, Utah to teach youth about leadership and civic engagement. As a teacher, mentor and friend, Huy worked with youth with behavioral problems and taught how an individual’s attitude and actions can affect team members through sports. Within three months, more than 200 children were involved in developing leadership skills through Huy’s program, “Team Captains”. Huy plans to pursue a degree in Communications at Utah Valley University.

Madeline Cumbey - Healthy Living - West Chicago, Illinois

Starting as the Health and Nutrition Officer of her 4‑H club, Madeline Cumbey wanted to help others achieve healthier lifestyles. As she gained leadership skills through 4‑H, she used her ideas to create SMART2bfit, a non-profit organization seeking to provide fresh food and water to improve the lives of others. SMART2bfit started as an afterschool club for 30 kids, but it quickly expanded to educate more than 1,200 youth and 400 adults about worldwide problems related to fresh food & water. Since the program’s inception, SMART2bfit has raised thousands of pounds of organic food through 6, kid-run SMART Gardens, and the program has helped provide fresh water to 4,000 people in Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania and India. Through her work, Madeline has put into practice leadership, communication, and technology skills that have inspired others to get involved and make a difference in their communities.

Molly Hunt - Healthy Living - Greenville, Ohio

From the time that she was in elementary school, Molly Hunt struggled with being comfortable in her own skin. She took to heart the words of bullies and her lack of self-confidence led her to use food as a coping mechanism. Through 4‑H, she overcame those struggles and was inspired to take action to become physically and mentally healthy. Now, she seeks to make a difference in the lives of other young women through her program, Clover Confidence BFF (Building Fearless Females). Striving to combat depression and suicide, her annual event encourages young women in the areas of confidence, relationships, empowerment and positive body image. More than 30 girls participated in her first annual event in 2017, and nearly 50 young women are planning to attend the 2018 event. Molly is an outstanding leader and a freshman at the Ohio State University.

Alexandra Forsythe - STEM - Huntington, Indiana

There’s no question to Alexandra Forsythe that 4‑H is a powerful force. She discovered that despite her learning disability, she could master complex concepts using the hands-on, interactive teaching methods found in 4‑H to advance her technology skills and develop a passion for STEM. In 4‑H, she designed, built and programmed her own life-size, fully-functional R2-D2 from Star Wars, which she now uses as an assistant when teaching youth about STEM. Using innovative teaching techniques, Alexandra taught youth about the flow of electricity by creating light-up cards that youth can give as a gift to those who have been “a light in their lives”.  Passionate about encouraging others, she and R2-D2 visit local schools, colleges and student groups to motivate the next generation of engineers.

Arianna Smith - STEM - Howe, Indiana

Though she had known about 4‑H for many years, Arianna Smith didn’t join 4‑H until her freshman year of high school when she realized that through the club she could explore her interests in STEM. She had recently completed treatment for lymphoma, and though she was finally able to return to school, she felt alienated after being away from school for nearly three years. Her 4‑H SPARK Club provided an opportunity to explore computer science, and she found a safe place to branch out and explore as a leader. She works to provide statewide SPARK Club lesson plans in conjunction with 4‑H mentors and co-founded a CS First Club at her local elementary school to teach kids about computer science. A senior in high school, Arianna is giving students across the state the opportunity to learn valuable skills in STEM, like programming and robotics, along with soft skills, like teamwork and perseverance.