In today’s society, youth have a wide variety of activities to choose from.  Therefore, we have to ask the question, why choose 4-H?  

As youth development professionals, we believe 4-H provides a premier opportunity for youth to build interpersonal skills, develop leadership, make a difference in their community and find their connection with others.  Through our research-backed curriculum driven programs, we strive to provide opportunities for positive youth development.

In 4-H, youth have the opportunity to:

• Learn about the world around them
• Gain hands-on experience
• Build practical skills for career & hobby
• Network and make new friends
• Explore potential career opportunities
• Develop a positive youth-adult mentorship
• Grow leadership potential
• Travel and explore in their community, state, nation and internationally
• AND SO MUCH MORE!

Even though 4-H has dozens of unique opportunities for youth, we recognize that maintaining youth engagement requires meeting these developmental needs: Interest Sparks, Belonging, Relationships and Engagement.  Therefore, not only does Allen County 4-H provide exciting educational programs, but we also believe that recognizing youth for their accomplishments helps to build since of accomplishment and belonging.

During the 2023 4-H Member Recognition Banquet, Allen County 4-H recognized thirty-five youth for their involvement and accomplishments.  Through the generous support of the 4-H Council, these highly active 4-H Members were awarded with “4-H Swag” gifts.  These gifts are more than your average plaque or certificate.  Gifts include but are not limited to: 4-H clothing, 4-H bags & backpacks, 4-H hammocks, 4-H pillows, 4-H Jewelry, 4-H luggage and more!

The Allen County youth are recognized for meeting standards of active participation, special awards, club involvement, leadership roles and more.  Why “4-H Swag” gifts you might ask?  Recognizing youth is critical for helping to encourage youth to progress and work towards goals in their 4-H careers.  Providing fun and practical “4-H Swag” that can be worn to school, work and out in community help to establish a critical sense of belonging that all youth seek.

Through our 4-H Member Recognition Baquet, Allen County recognized youth for: progressive membership up to 10 years, state level accomplishments, special county member awards, and youth volunteerism.  We are proud that our number of youth being recognized continue to grow, thus demonstrating the commitment and growth of members in our county organization.  

Recognizing our members at 4-H Banquet also helps us to reflect on the growth or members have made, as well as areas they seek to improve in the future.   Here are some of the quotes from our members sharing about their 4-H experience:

“4-H has helped me to improve my communication skills and speaking skills as well as my leadership skills.”  - Zoey Bequeath (2 Yr. Member)

“I gained skills on how to write a speech and gained confidence on speaking in front of others.  I want to help make clubs better and to be more involved in the upcoming year.”    - Brooklyn Biggs (2 Yr. Member)

“I enjoyed the mock interview contest because it gave me a look into what a real interview for a job is like.  I feel it was very beneficial to me because it made me practice what I would say and how to say I’m a good person for the job.”   - Amalie Seifrig   (7 Yr. Member)

“One of my goals for this 4-H year is to lead another workshop. I am ready to share my knowledge gained from previous 4-H and other experiences with other 4-H members.”   - Adalyn Skipworth (7 Yr. Member)

“4-H has enhanced my public  speaking confidence, my social skills and my confidence.”    - Kelly Jo Manion (8 Yr. Member)

“Many 4-H volunteers have had a big impact on my life and given me many positive memories and I would like to do that for others.”    - Daphnica Wood  (10 Yr. Member)

These quotes help to demonstrate the impact 4-H has and continues to have on their lives…