Winners and
Finalists
4‑H is proud to share the diverse stories and unique perspectives of 4‑H’ers who are leaders in their communities. 4‑H Youth in Action Award winners comes from every corner of America and are impacting their local communities in astounding ways. Check out 4‑H Youth in Action Award finalists below!
2023
winners
Matias Habib
Agriculture
Matias Habib never aimed to be a leader of sustainable agriculture. However, when the invasive species Japanese Beetle devastated his family’s orchard, Matias spent his summer applying his 4‑H Entomology knowledge to study natural methods to combat the beetle. He presented his research at the Illinois State 4‑H Fair, and there the Entomologist judge gave him words of inspiration: “You’re innovating in a billion-dollar industry. Keep it up.” So he did. COVID gave Matias extra time to focus on his work, and he spent his summer building a lab, researching, running tests on a myriad of plant oils and other substances, and ultimately developing a patent-pending, all-natural formula that protects foliage from the Japanese Beetle and other pests. With the support of his 4‑H leaders, Matias launched his own business – TerraBuster – and began selling his unique bio-pesticide online and in local nurseries. Now expanding TerraBuster’s line of products to repellents for other pests that threaten crops. In line with his personal commitment to environmental sustainability, he reduces single-use plastics through refillable spray bottles, keeps carbon emissions low by local sourcing and distribution, and raises awareness of damaging toxic chemicals.
Matias’ interest in science and organic agriculture is rooted in childhood challenges. Growing up overseas, he struggled with language barriers and social anxiety. Often feeling like an outsider, he was eventually diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He now realizes those differences are vital tools to empower his passion and focus on science. Through 4‑H, Matias found the connection, inspiration, and confidence to turn his ideas into reality. A senior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy, Matias plans to pursue a career to develop innovative solutions that protect the environment.
Matias Habib
Agriculture
Matias Habib never aimed to be a leader of sustainable agriculture. However, when the invasive species Japanese Beetle devastated his family’s orchard, Matias spent his summer applying his 4‑H Entomology knowledge to study natural methods to combat the beetle. He presented his research at the...
Sruthi Sudarsan
Civic Engagement
As a child, Sruthi struggled to speak due to her social anxiety, but she found her voice and confidence through her 4‑H club’s puppetry and public speaking projects. Empowered by her 4‑H community and impassioned to civic engagement, Sruthi has in turn taken her rightful place as a leader and advocate for those without a voice.
In 2020, the year that saw millions of homeless and low-income families face unprecedented challenges to meet basic needs, Sruthi’s heart was moved to care for the 28,000 homeless individuals in the San Francisco Bay area. She founded Project C.A.R.E (Comfort and Relief Essentials) to address preventable medical conditions through basic hygiene, first aid and medical education. Since the founding of her project, Sruthi has worked diligently to alleviate the strain on her community, providing thousands of medical and hygienic supplies and hundreds of volunteer hours in community development and educational services. Her efforts to address preventable medical conditions have been felt globally as well. Sruthi expanded her work to Cambodia, raising money to provide a preschool both a fully equipped bathroom with running water and education on the importance of basic hygiene. Through her organization, Sruthi also hosts a youth mentorship program every six weeks to train students to find their civic engagement spark, fundraise, budget, recruit volunteers, execute their missions, and eventually mentor future program participants. To date, Sruthi has taught 150 middle schoolers in California to become dynamic community leaders and activists. A senior in high school, Sruthi hopes to create her own state-wide 4‑H youth leadership curriculum and continue expanding her mentorship work and medical outreach. Sruthi’s collegiate plans include a major in neuroscience, with her sights set on attending medical school.
Sruthi Sudarsan
Civic Engagement
As a child, Sruthi struggled to speak due to her social anxiety, but she found her voice and confidence through her 4‑H club’s puppetry and public speaking projects. Empowered by her 4‑H community and impassioned to civic engagement, Sruthi has in turn taken her rightful...
Norah Carter
Healthy Living
Growing up with a disability saw Norah Carter consistently underestimated. When she discovered competitive therapeutic horseback riding through her local 4‑H club, Norah seized her spark and derived a world of new opportunities. She quickly developed confidence, leadership skills and a dedication to community service and advocacy that guides her present passions and future pursuits. Overcoming physical barriers routinely erected by ableist bias positioned Norah to practice and multiply her mental strength and resiliency. Through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, Norah realized other students could benefit from the coping skills and mental health practices she had harnessed. Adapting 4‑H health curricula, Norah hosted five health workshop series addressing various mental health issues for diverse audiences. She further expanded her offerings into educational workshops focused on anxiety reduction, trigger identification and stress management, all to empower previously incarcerated youth, urban kids, and suburban tweens. Her community partners and avid supporters estimate she has equipped more than 400 students in her state with these vital life and health skills.
Norah continues her workshops both virtually and in person, hoping to see students support their peers and impact communities through their resiliency. Now a student at Denison University, Norah is majoring in Global Health and Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. She aims to work in public policy or law as an advocate for those with physical and mental disabilities.
Norah Carter
Healthy Living
Growing up with a disability saw Norah Carter consistently underestimated. When she discovered competitive therapeutic horseback riding through her local 4‑H club, Norah seized her spark and derived a world of new opportunities. She quickly developed confidence, leadership skills and a dedication to community service...
Nicole Cash
STEM
Like many LGBTQ youth across the country, Nicole experienced rejection and personal loss after coming out. Through 4‑H, she found refuge – a place to belong, helping her discover her passion for nature while cultivating her exceptional leadership skills. These skills proved essential when a family approached her Robotics team, Rogue, in search of an affordable mobility device for their disabled son. Inspired by the Go Baby Go organization, Nicole took on the challenge and channeled the command and creativity she honed in 4‑H to lead her team in building a modified Power Wheels ride-on car for the boy – delegating tasks to teammates, assisting with coding, sourcing materials, and managing both legal and client communication. After witnessing the massive change and immense joy the finished product brought a family in need, Nicole and her team founded their own chapter of Go Baby Go, the first in the Midwest. Her robotics team went on to publish an online manual detailing their inventive approach toward coding, creating 3D-print files, and capturing imagery that propelled the project from start to finish. Their resource, designed with the needs of others in mind, led to the creation of an interactive map that connects families looking to build mobility devices with other Go Baby Go affiliated robotics teams. To date, Nicole’s team has built six devices, and the online manual motivated more teams to complete at least 27 more nationwide.
Nicole is working towards expanding her Go Baby Go chapter to other robotics teams across the country. Pursuing a career as a conservational naturalist, she is studying Ecology and Outdoor Recreation at Northern Michigan University, where she strives to create positive change in her community and the local ecosystem.
Nicole Cash
STEM
Like many LGBTQ youth across the country, Nicole experienced rejection and personal loss after coming out. Through 4‑H, she found refuge – a place to belong, helping her discover her passion for nature while cultivating her exceptional leadership skills. These skills proved essential when a...
2023
finalists
Elaan Bader
Agriculture
Elaan attributes the spark she has for agriculture and the global health of pollinators to 4‑H. Armed with a can-do attitude and a belief the one person can make a difference, 4‑H has provided her opportunities and experiences that have honed her public speaking, creative writing and leadership skills.
Working as a pollinator ambassador through a national 4‑H grant, Elaan trained over 3,000 youth and adult volunteers and helped to plant over 36 acres of pollinator plots. During the pandemic, she utilized her strengths and talents gained in 4‑H to independently educate people both locally and internationally about pollinators’ importance, creating original educational materials including a monthly newsletter, PSAs and social media content. Speaking out wherever she’s offered the opportunity–at community clubs, agricultural venues and the like–Elaan is passionate about her work and is driven to inspire and enable others to be change agents to make our world a better place. A student at Washington University in St. Louis, Elaan aims to share her pollinator passion through a career in agriculture law.
Elaan Bader
Agriculture
Elaan attributes the spark she has for agriculture and the global health of pollinators to 4‑H. Armed with a can-do attitude and a belief the one person can make a difference, 4‑H has provided her opportunities and experiences that have honed her public speaking, creative...
Evelyn Day
Agriculture
In 2017, with Hurricane Irma barreling towards the Florida coast, Evelyn wanted to help. She reached out to Florida 4‑H and offered space at her farm for animals who needed refuge during evacuations. After a 4‑H’er took her up on the offer, Evelyn learned that thousands of pets are displaced annually during natural disasters and felt inspired to do more for those with animals in crisis. Evelyn applied for the Federal Emergency Management Association Youth Preparedness Council to expand her knowledge and outreach in educating others on how to be prepared for crises. Utilizing the help of fellow Georgia 4‑H’ers, Evelyn developed Pet PACKS (Prepared Animal Crisis Kits). These kits include pet necessities, homemade toys, information and resources for those staying at evacuation centers and hotels. Evelyn recruits 4‑H’ers around the state to donate, assemble and deliver the Pet PACKs across the southeast. Her education efforts reached a national level with the help of her FEMA outreach and radio spotlights. She hopes to continue increasing safety, protection and care for the animals at risk of being left behind in crisis and reduce the strain of pet abandonment, especially in communities where natural disasters have occurred. Now a senior in high school, Evelyn hopes to train fellow 4‑H’ers to continue the important Pet PACKs work. In the future she hopes to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine.
Evelyn Day
Agriculture
In 2017, with Hurricane Irma barreling towards the Florida coast, Evelyn wanted to help. She reached out to Florida 4‑H and offered space at her farm for animals who needed refuge during evacuations. After a 4‑H’er took her up on the offer, Evelyn learned that...
Amiyah Elam
Civic Engagement
Amiya Elam would not be who she is today without 4‑H. She remembers being a little girl with a big voice and not knowing how to centralize it. From the start, she enthusiastically dove into every 4‑H opportunity offered, but the most pivotal and influential was being selected for the prestigious Clovers & Company musical group as a vocalist, where she quite literally found her voice.
During her seven years in 4‑H, Amiyah has found her love for networking and public speaking as well as her innate sense of humanity, going on to form her non-profit project “I AM”. Focused on helping girls explore different career and life paths, I AM’s empowers young Black girls, primarily from underprivileged backgrounds, find their worth. Selfless and truly committed to finding the good in people, we can’t wait to see what Amiyah accomplishes next.
Amiyah Elam
Civic Engagement
Amiya Elam would not be who she is today without 4‑H. She remembers being a little girl with a big voice and not knowing how to centralize it. From the start, she enthusiastically dove into every 4‑H opportunity offered, but the most pivotal and influential...
Reed Marcum
Civic Engagement
4‑H helped Reed Marcum gain the self-confidence, public speaking and leadership skills to organize service initiatives, supporting needs in his community. In 7 years, his 4‑H book bag giveaway has collected more than 27,000 book bags and school supplies to give to students in need. Inspired to do more and continue giving back to his community, Reed also leads a 4‑H Toy Giveaway that to date has collected and distributed more than 33,000 toys to local children. In his project’s third year, Reed learned about Hudson Campbell, who passed away from Pediatric Cancer. After visiting with Hudson’s family, Reed established a silent auction that has raised more than $118,000 for the Hudson Strong Foundation, which focuses on pediatric cancer research and scholarships. Reed plans to go into the Air Force and hopes to continue pursuing his passion for helping others.
Reed Marcum
Civic Engagement
4‑H helped Reed Marcum gain the self-confidence, public speaking and leadership skills to organize service initiatives, supporting needs in his community. In 7 years, his 4‑H book bag giveaway has collected more than 27,000 book bags and school supplies to give to students in need....
Jayden Ingalls
Healthy Living
Jayden has always loved how food fosters community, culture, fellowship and joy. Growing up he struggled to find opportunities to expand his culinary education. Through 4‑H, he found the support of an entire community and was provided the experiences that allow him to explore his interests and realize his dreams all the way to competing on MasterChef Jr. Beyond learning the basics of nutrition and health, Jayden gained life skills like self-confidence, empathy and leadership through 4‑H. One of his many accomplishments, Jayden serves as a 4‑H Heroes 4‑Heath Ambassador, working with local representatives, extension agents and facility leaders to offer health-focused programs at summer camps, specifically targeting underserved youth. Moving forward, Jayden hopes to continue educating others on the importance of healthy living, both mentally and physically. Aspiring to one day open his own restaurant, Jayden’s goal entering his senior year of high school is to inspire those around him to find their spark, like 4‑H has done for him.
Jayden Ingalls
Healthy Living
Jayden has always loved how food fosters community, culture, fellowship and joy. Growing up he struggled to find opportunities to expand his culinary education. Through 4‑H, he found the support of an entire community and was provided the experiences that allow him to explore his...
Avani Rai
Healthy Living
Avani’s passion for public speaking didn’t come easily, but it opened up a whole new world to her. On a small stage in Illinois, Avani found her voice and dove into all 4‑H has to offer. As her passion for public speaking and leadership grew, Avani explored several roles where she could build her skills and connect with others while serving her community. First as a McLean County Teen Teacher through a 4‑H SPIN club and later as an Illinois 4‑H Healthy Living Delegate and Food Advocacy Ambassador, Avani’s interest in the need for food security and raising awareness about heathy living—focusing on accessible nutritious foods —bloomed. With the support of her 4‑H community, Avani is confident she will continue her path of leadership, service and mentorship. A rising high school senior, Avani dreams of pursuing law and utilizing legislation to bring the topics of Healthy Living and food advocacy into the spotlight.
Avani Rai
Healthy Living
Avani’s passion for public speaking didn’t come easily, but it opened up a whole new world to her. On a small stage in Illinois, Avani found her voice and dove into all 4‑H has to offer. As her passion for public speaking and leadership grew,...
Michael Trees
STEM
Living in a rural area, Michael didn’t always have the same resources or opportunities as other kids. Being homeschooled meant no formal computer class or laboratory access for STEM learning. What they did have, however, was a spark to ignite a partnership between their local 4‑H program and the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering, helping to bring an engineering program to their community.
Now, as a 4‑H STEM Ambassador, they know the importance of reaching underserved people with barriers to STEM learning. Working with their local schools and museum, Michael has launched several STEM programs and helped students develop their own science-based research programs. Grateful for their memories and experiences with 4‑H, Michael believes their skills of problem solving, collaboration and leadership have set them up for success wherever their path takes them. In addition to their passion for STEM, Michael would love to pursue a future in culinary arts after finishing their senior year of high school this spring.
Michael Trees
STEM
Living in a rural area, Michael didn’t always have the same resources or opportunities as other kids. Being homeschooled meant no formal computer class or laboratory access for STEM learning. What they did have, however, was a spark to ignite a partnership between their local...
Ronak Suchindra
STEM
With a passion for volunteering and teaching, Ronak believes 4‑H has shown him the value of giving back to his community. Developing a neighborhood program of successful coding workshops during Covid led him to establish Kids Connect—a non-profit aimed at empowering youth with the skills to teach STEAM-related content. Kids Connect has since engaged over 3,500 kids worldwide. An exceptional leader himself, Ronak feels leadership is about teamwork. Working collaboratively brings a community together and makes it stronger. His experience with 4‑H has taught him dedication, respect, hard work and responsibility, which helped him on his path to receiving the Gold Clover Award. Wearing many hats as only a sophomore in high school, Ronak’s roles as a robotics team captain, Pennsylvania 4‑H STEM ambassador, mentor and member of the local 4‑H Teen Council showcase his strengths as he confidently takes on new challenges.
Ronak Suchindra
STEM
With a passion for volunteering and teaching, Ronak believes 4‑H has shown him the value of giving back to his community. Developing a neighborhood program of successful coding workshops during Covid led him to establish Kids Connect—a non-profit aimed at empowering youth with the skills...
2022 Winners
As a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Tashina grew up with a strong appreciation for all of creation and a conviction to care for the environment, animals, and those less fortunate. She grew up loving horses, and after attending her first 4‑H County Horse Show, she insisted on learning to ride. However, after finally getting the horse she dreamed of, her dad suffered a back injury, and both time and resources were devoted to his care. Tashina was devastated for her father and concerned she wouldn’t learn to ride. Then, a 4‑H friend and mentor stepped up to show her the ropes, and Tashina grew as a cowgirl and a person.
Tashina recognized at an early age that while caring for the animal nation was important to her tribe, many people living on the Reservation did not have the financial means to care for their pets. The Rosebud community faces economic hardships, and many people struggle to provide for their families, let alone their pets. Armed with the passion to invest generously in others that she had learned from her 4‑H mentor, Tashina began volunteering at the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Animal Clinic. Through this volunteer work, Tashina not only found her passion for Vet Science, but she’s also worked her way through every possible role at the clinic. Throughout her tenure at the clinic, Tashina’s leadership has impacted multiple aspects of organization – from vaccinations to surgery pre- and post-op, managing volunteers, and even training vet students. One of her proudest accomplishments at the clinic was the weekend only she and the doctor were available to work. After treating more than 300 pets in three days, he said, “As long as Tashina is available, we can get it done!” Tashina plans to continue her education, become a veterinarian, return to her community, and continue serving and inspiring others through animal sciences.
Although only 18 years old, Brianna’s story is one of loss, resiliency, bravery, and hope. Brianna moved to New York at age 10 after tragically losing her mother. Not only was she processing her grief and navigating life in a new city, but as the daughter of Cameroonian immigrants, she faced the difficulty of being a person of color in her majority-white community. Drawing strength from her late mother, Brianna rose above and became a voice of change and inclusivity at her high school by hosting a series of conversations during school lunch hours with students, school administration, teachers, and local law enforcement. By connecting with her local 4‑H club and the 4‑H UNITY (Urban Neighborhoods Improved Through Youth) leaders, Brianna found the support she needed to expand her program, “Race and Reconciliation”, to events outside of school including screenings of thought-provoking films, book clubs on race-related topics, and classes on antiracism and white privilege for adults.
Through the pandemic, Brianna taught virtual workshops for 4‑H educators and youth throughout her state. A dynamic leader, Brianna has spoken at youth development forums, served on the New York State’s Government Youth Council, and inspired other 4‑H counties to start their own antiracism groups. Brianna will continue her racial reconciliation efforts as she relocates to DC to study Psychology and Public Health at George Washington University.
At only six years old, Kristin Osika was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disorder which affects the small intestine. Her new strict gluten-, dairy-, and egg-free diet made her feel like a burden and outsider in many social situations, but Kristin’s experience with 4‑H was different. Gluten-free options were readily available, and she wasn’t constantly questioned by students about her condition or why she couldn’t eat many common foods. In 4‑H, Kristin finally found a place where she could be herself and gain the skills and confidence to speak up, and today, she’s passionate about creating similarly inclusive and influential environments for others.
Kristin’s work as an advocate for those with food allergies began with a community research project she conducted for a 4‑H leadership program. She noticed the underutilized and limited options for those with dietary-restrictions at food pantries and homeless shelters, so she began creating flyers, raising awareness, and working with local food shelters to expand allergen-free options. Once the pandemic hit and her ability to work with shelters became limited, she continued her work through advocacy and educating others. Kristin combined this passion with her love for baking by creating recipes called “Single Sweets” – single-serving, microwavable desserts that are free of the top eight food allergens. Since then, Kristin has released a cookbook, runs a blog, and gives workshops both virtually and across her state to raise awareness and educate others about baking, allergies, and dietary restrictions. Kristin is senior in high school and aspiring healthcare researcher who plans to continue using her cookbook proceeds to support food allergy research and one day develop an entire 4‑H curriculum on food safety.
Although always interested in robotics, coding, and engineering as a kid, Dhruv Rebba never had the opportunity to study hands-on until he joined 4‑H. After joining his 4‑H club’s robotics team in 4th grade, he was instantly hooked. Since then, Dhruv has launched two 4‑H robotics clubs in local elementary schools and has witnessed those students grow to become passionate about science, robotics, and 4‑H. He also serves as an ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) mentor helping schools around the nation contact the International Space Station with ham radio. These experiences led him to fundraise and advocate to US congressional leaders for expanded funding of after-school STEM programs like his.
When Dhruv visited his father’s home village in India, he was blown away by the lack of internet access and digital literacy. The needs for this community were vast, and Dhruv had the skills and drive to make a difference. He founded the nonprofit Universal Help to provide innovative solutions that improve the quality of life for people around the world. So far, he’s worked to digitize schools and provide access to computers, internet and textbooks, in addition to expanding solar energy access to people in rural and underdeveloped parts of India. Now a senior in high school, Dhruv is currently working on local environmental impact projects with his organization and is serving as a leader for the Illinois 4‑H in Space Program. He hopes to major in engineering or computer science next fall.
2021 Winners
Amidst a difficult move to a new school where she didn’t feel she fit in with her peers, Madelyn Zimmerman found a safe space with her cattle. That same year, an incurable disease wiped out nearly half her herd, leaving her feeling devastated, voiceless, lost, and alone. In her despair, she realized that if she felt lost, others might feel the same way. In 4‑H, she had developed her love for cattle and a desire to give back to her community, so she combined those passions and began reaching out to others who might feel different, too, to teach them about agriculture. She started with youth who were struggling in school behaviorally or whose parents couldn’t care for them after school. This program was just the first step in Madelyn’s journey to provide agriculture education and experiences to youth in her community.
While at the fair her freshman year of high school, a little girl ran up to Madelyn’s cow, pet its nose, and simply said, “I wish I could do that.” This five-year-old little girl with Down Syndrome changed Madelyn’s life and inspired her to participate in POSS-abilities, a 4‑H program for youth with disabilities. The program pairs an older 4‑H'er with a 4‑H'er with disabilities to teach them to care for and show livestock safely. Through POSS-abilities, Madelyn and fellow youth mentors have supported more than a dozen 4‑H'ers with disabilities in their journey to connect with agriculture. Madelyn is a sophomore at Kansas State University majoring in agriculture communications, with minors in animal science and mass communications; journalism. In the future, she hopes to travel the world as a journalist helping farmers tell their stories.
Elizabeth Weidner is no stranger to adversity. At age 12, she was diagnosed with stage IV High Risk Neuroblastoma cancer and spent much of the past four and half years in and out of the hospital. Instead of letting these obstacles hold her back, they fueled her desire to become a stronger leader and advocate for childhood cancer awareness, research and funding. Through many hospital stays, Elizabeth stayed involved in 4‑H, participating in meetings virtually and even working together with fellow 4‑H'ers to participate in the fair from her hospital room. Her 4‑H experiences equipped her to travel to Washington, DC to advocate for childhood cancer research on Capitol Hill, built her confidence to participate in an award-winning docu-series on the truth behind childhood cancer, and gave her the leadership skills to sustain a long-term effort to provide supplies for families of cancer patients at local children’s hospitals.
Elizabeth's first hospital stay was difficult. Faced with the overwhelming reality of a pediatric cancer diagnosis, her family arrived without the supplies needed to sustain a long-term hospital stay. That personal experience fueled Elizabeth’s desire to support other families by starting a supply drive for the community to donate snacks and personal care items to support families during hospital stays. She partnered with local businesses to generate donations and offer displays advertising for needed items, and she encouraged community members to donate either unused toiletries from hotels or new items purchased from local stores. She mobilized fellow 4‑H'ers and through their combined efforts, the program has spread across the state of Illinois. To date, Elizabeth has donated more than 60,000 essential items to five different children’s hospitals, including St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where she has received treatment. After graduation, Elizabeth plans to pursue a career as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse.
At a young age, Mayyadah Zagelow struggled with her mental health through anxiety and selective mutism, unable to express her thoughts at school and in other environments. Combined with bullying at school by those she had once considered friends, Mayyadah felt isolated and betrayed. That’s when she joined 4‑H, and her journey to overcoming anxiety began. Through 4‑H, Mayyadah learned to turn difficult experiences into empowering opportunities as she learned to speak up and speak out for herself and for others who feel voiceless.
Passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and addressing social inequities, Mayyadah is a founding member of a grassroots youth movement in Washington state called the Equity and Inclusion Teen Taskforce. Through this taskforce, Mayyadah is working with fellow 4‑H’ers to educate adults and teens alike through workshops and grassroots efforts about gender identities, expression, orientation and biological sex, as well as the challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community in hopes of creating a world of inclusion for all 4‑H youth. The task force also provides a safe space and healthy environment for youth to share their stories. Using teamwork strategies and communication skills, Mayyadah seeks to lift up the varied stories of 4‑H's diverse youth. Mayyadah recently graduated from high school and hopes to pursue a career in the medical field.
In the spring of 2013, Aidan Spencer weathered more trials than many people experience in a lifetime. A house fire, family illness and debilitating car crash left Aidan feeling alone and hopeless. That’s when his friends invited him to join their 4‑H robotics club. Within a matter of minutes, Aidan knew he’d found a home. Working with his peers to explore his passion for STEM and reach for a common goal gave him a sense of belonging and a newfound purpose – to advocate for STEM access for all kids.
After getting involved in STEM through 4‑H, Aidan noticed a discrepancy of access to STEM education for minority youth, and he wanted to help his 4‑H club grow to reach other students who needed a place to connect and learn. Working with his local 4‑H program, Aidan organized 60+ events to expose kids to STEM and co-founded three FIRST LEGO League robotics teams. Leading these efforts exposed a critical problem – lack of funding for STEM programs. To address this problem, Aidan created a business plan with a fundraising strategy that led to securing more than $7,000 to support 4‑H STEM clubs by cultivating relationships with local businesses. Aidan plans to pursue a degree in Business Administration with a focus on nonprofits and hopes to continue his work to support STEM education for young people in the future.
2020 Winners
Janya Green
Agriculture Pillar Winner - 2020
Growing up on her family's farm, Janya Green knows first-hand about agriculture and the challenges America's farmers face. Her interest in agriculture channeled into a passion for service when she met Sam, her 4‑H mentor, who not only exposed her to a budding community garden initiative but also opened her eyes to a world of opportunities through 4‑H. Through the program, Janya developed leadership skills and found her voice as she stepped up to lead the Village Community Garden in Worth County, Georgia. As the garden manager, Janya provides the community with nutritious foods to combat the obesity epidemic and other nutrition-related diseases. The garden is also a platform to educate local farmers about new technologies like aeroponic towers.
The passion for helping others that Janya developed in 4‑H became her purpose when she sensed the confusion that arose after Hurricane Michael ravaged farms across Southwest Georgia. She aims to pursue a career in agricultural law, allowing her to invest in the future of agriculture while representing farmers -- like her grandfather -- particularly when tragedies strike. Janya is a junior at Worth County High School and after graduating, she plans to begin her education at Fort Valley State University. Janya is the 2020 4‑H Youth in Action Agriculture Pillar Winner, sponsored by Bayer.
Breanna Burkhead
Civic Engagement Pillar Winner - 2020
Breanna Burkhead became passionate about art through the 4‑H Art Club at her local art center. But when the art council lost use of the art center building, the future of art in the community was in jeopardy. When Breanna heard a public meeting would be held to discuss the future of the art center, she knew she wanted to be part of the solution. Using the research, planning and communication skills she developed in 4‑H, Breanna presented a solution to the council for a new building that would provide space for artist studios and exhibits, and also for revenue-generating classes, a gift shop, and more. The council voted to purchase the building and elected Breanna as an executive board member, and she quickly got to work. She wrote and received a grant, mobilized volunteers for renovations, and planned classes and camps to be housed at the new art center.
The art center opened in June 2019 and has offered more than 30 classes, 2 art camps, homeschool art courses, a veterans’ project and more. Breanna hopes to attend Western Kentucky University to study Agricultural Education and minor in International Studies, with the goal of becoming a 4‑H professional. Breanna is the 2020 4‑H Youth in Action STEM Civic Engagement Winner.
Micah Palacios
Healthy Living Pillar Winner - 2020
At just nine years old, Micah Palacios was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disease that attacked her hair follicles. Before her 10th birthday, she lost 75% of her hair and, most importantly, lost her self-confidence, leading to anxiety and depression. But the older 4‑H’ers in her club built her confidence by assuring her that despite her hair loss, she was no different than anyone else. In 4‑H, Micah learned to embellish hats, scarves and bandanas that covered her hair and helped her relieve stress in a healthy way. She also learned about proper nutrition and how to eat a well-balanced diet to improve her energy. These experiences motivated Micah to lead the 4‑H food & nutrition and health projects in her community, but she sensed something was missing.
After taking a National Alliance on Mental Illness class, she started to make changes in the way she interacted with others. Now, she has launched the Navigating Your Thoughts program for Bexar County 4‑H Clubs and military base programs, with the goal of reducing mental health stigma. Micah is a senior in high school and hopes to pursue a career in public health. Micah is the 2020 4‑H Youth in Action Healthy living Pillar Winner.
Joseph Huff
STEM Pillar Winner - 2020
Joseph Huff became passionate about helping people in need as he watched his father, a stroke survivor, struggle to use his stroke-affected right hand. As that passion was growing, Joseph began to get involved in 3D printing through 4‑H. Little did he know, these two seemingly disconnected events would soon come together in a powerful way when he watched his mentor print a prosthetic hand for a young boy at the fair. At that moment, Joseph realized he could help people – like his dad – by combining creativity with science to create life-changing prosthetics for those in need. Joseph launched an initiative to 3D print and assemble dozens of prosthetic hands for children in need and has mentored even more youth to teach them to do the same. Bringing the project full circle, Joseph is now in the process of creating a new device to help his dad regain some use of his weak hand.
Joseph is a senior in high school and will soon graduate with his associate’s degree. He plans to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. Joseph is the 2020 4‑H Youth in Action STEM Pillar Winner, sponsored by HughesNet.
2019 Winners
Clyde Van Dyke
National Youth in Action Award and STEM Pillar - 2019
Clyde Van Dyke was told at a young age that he likely would not graduate from high school or ever be successful. Facing many challenges, he didn’t have the support he needed and lacked the confidence to get out of his comfort zone. But when his friend brought him to the 4‑H Tech Wizards After-School program, his life changed in a drastic way. In 4‑H, he learned to communicate, collaborate and be a leader and was introduced to a geospatial program that allows him to create maps that visualize data to help spark action in the community. He has created geospatial maps to visualize costs of attending 4‑H camp for low-income families, drug overdose deaths and the factors that may contribute to their increase, and more. Clyde plans to attend the State University of New York, Delhi, and pursue a career in digital forensics.
Addy Battel
Agriculture Pillar Winner - 2019
Whether she is teaching youth with special needs to care for farm animals or fighting hunger in her hometown, Addy Battel demonstrates the leadership skills she gained in 4‑H through her passion for empowering youth to be the change they want to see. In middle school, Addy’s hometown of Cass City, Michigan, became a food desert.
At just 12 years old, Addy worked with a team of fellow 4‑H’ers to create Meating the Need for Our Village, a program designed to fight hunger through agriculture. The program received grants and overwhelming community support to begin providing high-quality protein to local food pantries. Since the program’s inception, more than 200 youth have been involved in the project by raising and donating animals to Meating the Need. Overall, the program has made a $54,000 impact on the community by providing 1,368 gallons of milk, 10,000 pounds of meat and 92 dozen eggs to families in need. Addy hopes to continue fighting hunger on a world-wide scale by attending Michigan State University and pursuing a degree in animal science.
Mason McClintock
Civic Engagement Pillar Winner - 2018
From his retro sense of style to his effervescent personality, Mason McClintock always felt different from others his age. Then, 4‑H came into the picture, and became an outlet for him to be himself, feel encouraged by his peers and adults and find the belonging he so desperately desired. Through the program, he developed strong leadership and communication skills, and is using those to make a difference in his small, rural hometown, where he saw an opportunity to help youth in his community explore new careers and expand their goals for the future.
His program, the Alma Entrepreneur Tour, teaches youth helpful business and entrepreneurial principles while connecting youth with local entrepreneurs to expose them to new fields. From financial institutions and inns to department stores and agricultural operations, Mason has exposed more than 50 youth to a variety of new fields to pursue. Upon graduating from high school, Mason plans to pursue a career in music and study business, finance and Spanish at the University of Georgia.
Elisabeth Watkins
Healthy Living Pillar Winner - 2018
Elisabeth Watkins, a California 4‑H’er, became passionate about healthy living during elementary school. After facing health challenges that forced her to stop competitive gymnastics, she found her purpose and her passion in 4‑H cooking projects. As she learned more about nutrition, living a healthy lifestyle and the impact of a balanced diet on physical and mental well-being, her interest in cooking and food production developed into life-changing opportunities and a path for her future career.
From chairing the California State Fair 4‑H Cooking Throwdown, to creating a new cooking competition in her community, to mentoring future cooking project leaders, to launching her platform Farm Girl Chef, Elisabeth has been an advocate for agriculture, cooking and good food. Elisabeth further her education at University of Nevada, Reno and dreams of one day hosting her own farm-to-table cooking show.
2018 Winners
Cassandra Ivie
National Youth in Action Award and STEM Pillar
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.
2017 Winners
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.
2016 Winners
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.
2010-2015 Winners
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‑H helped 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 Byron Center, 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.
