4‑H Youth in Action Awards

Cassandra Ivie - National Youth in Action Award and STEM Pillar - 2018

For Cassandra Ivie, being a part of 4‑H meant developing her passion for STEM while learning the value of unity amongst diversity.  Through 4‑H, she gained the confidence and experiences she needed to become a STEM leader; skills that she is putting into practice today.

From an early age, she sensed there was something different about 4‑H. Though her peers might be interested in different subjects, the celebration of their different strengths brought about an uncommon unity that she hadn’t found elsewhere.  In an effort to build on that unity and to provide equal opportunities to youth of all types of backgrounds, Cassandra developed the Incredible Machine, a curriculum and activities kit that teaches five types of engineering – chemical, mechanical, software, civil and electrical.  She applied for and received a $6500 grant to develop 10 Incredible Machine kits to provide STEM resources to youth in rural communities, and she has presented her curriculum for various communities and events across the nation.

A senior in high school, Cassandra is a True Leader committed to connecting youth to STEM, service, leadership and 4‑H!

Serena Woodard - Agriculture Pillar Winner - 2018

When Serena Woodard joined 4‑H and began to actively contribute to her community, she never would have guessed that one day she would need her community’s support as well.  Through her 4‑H journey, Serena 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 teen teachers and six adult volunteers to help expand the program, which has reached 36 counties and more than 40,000 youth.  She also started a community garden to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to 250 community members in need.

From a young age, 4‑H taught her the importance of using her time and resources to impact others.  But she wasn’t quite prepared for the outpouring of support she would receive from her community and Oklahoma 4‑H when her family lost their home in an arson fire.  Her 4‑H community provided necessities, clothing and other donations to her family in their time of greatest need.

Her commitment to serving others is now even stronger as she aims to keep giving back and making an impact on those around her.

Serena is a truly remarkable 4‑H'er and is a junior in high school in Canadian, Oklahoma.

Kyra-Lee Harry - Civic Engagement Pillar Winner - 2018

At just five years old, Kyra-Lee Harry’s passion for helping others was sparked when she received the unexpected and scary news that her mom’s lungs had collapsed on both sides. Though she didn’t fully understand the situation at the time, she knew that one day, she wanted to be a part of the solution and help others, just like the doctors and technology helped her mom.

In the 6th grade, Kyra-Lee joined 4‑H, and her life was forever changed. Her 4‑H leaders and mentors helped her cultivate her passion for service and STEM and encouraged her to become a powerful youth voice in her community.  At 15, Kyra-Lee was sworn in as the youngest person to ever be appointed to a community board in Brooklyn, New York.  Her commitment to listen to the needs of the youth in her community and her drive to meet those needs led to Community Board 9’s First Annual Forum at Medgar Evers College. The event reached more than 300 young people ages 13-24, and provided training in leadership, mentorship, and workplace skills, along with networking opportunities. Her leadership has inspired other Brooklyn community boards to collaborate with youth for the programs and workshops they create.

Kyra-Lee is a dynamic 4‑H’er and a freshman at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering.

Sophia Rodriguez - Healthy Living Pillar Winner - 2018

Sophia Rodriguez knew that she wanted to help military youth like herself.  The mentorship and support she received from her family, educators, and 4‑H leaders helped her cope with the emotional toll of growing up in a military-connected family.  However, she knew many other military youth didn’t have that same privilege.

After engaging a support team of her 4‑H leader, a military family life counselor, and her peers, Sophia developed a program called “Tie Dye for Troops” to creatively help military youth understand the importance of positive mental health and how to effectively deal with challenges specific to military families.  Her father’s post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis provided Sophia with a personal understanding of these unique challenges.

Through her arts-based workshops, she has brought awareness to mental health in the military community and has helped military youth develop healthy relationships with their peers and adults.  Sophia shares her program regularly and has trained more than 150 youth and adults across the state and country to teach it as well.

Sophia is a senior in high school and, to date, has impacted more than 500 youth nationwide.

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.