Posted: November 1, 2023
Ronak Suchindra, a 4-H member from Chester Springs, was announced as a finalist for the 2023 4-H Youth in Action Award for STEM.
Ronak Suchindra
According to the National 4-H Council, the 4‑H Youth in Action program amplifies the diverse stories and leadership of 4‑H youth who are making a difference in their communities every day.
"This recognition reinforces my commitment to spreading my love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and giving youth the tools and resources they need to be successful in their future careers," Suchindra said. "I am a firm believer that the STEM curriculum will create a strong foundation for the future workforce to succeed and find innovative solutions to improve our world."
A 4-H member since the age of eight, Suchindra first joined the 4-H Lego robotics club, for which he now serves as a team mentor. With his advanced robotic skills, he competes at a national level. Since he can remember, Suchindra said he has been passionate about teaching, volunteering, and creating an impact in his community.
"4-H has been instrumental in nurturing my interests and ambitions," he said. "I've met with incredible mentors such as my educators, Mrs. (Toni) Stuetz and Mrs. (Audrey) Reith, who have encouraged me to pursue my passions and continue to explore."
He said 4-H has helped him develop in many areas, including leadership, civic engagement, and public speaking.
"Using these tools, I founded my nonprofit, Kids Connect, during the pandemic to share skills I learned and help kids around the world discover and foster their passions," he said.
Kids Connect allows older kids to teach younger children various STEM skills through coding, crafting, origami, and other activities. Since its launch, Kids Connect has reached more than 4,000 kids through 50 STEM-related workshops.
"4-H is a large part of who I am," Suchindra said. "To me, this is not just an organization; 4-H has been the catalyst for my journey in STEM and the foundation for my future career. Through 4-H, I have discovered my deep passion for STEM, which has become the driving force behind my aspirations."
As a junior in high school, Suchindra will continue his leadership in Kids Connect while also serving as a robotics team captain, Pennsylvania 4-H STEM ambassador, mentor, and member of the local 4-H Teen Council. He has earned a Gold Clover Award and is working toward a Diamond Clover Award, the highest achievement possible in the Pennsylvania 4-H program.
"Having been in 4-H for eight years, my advice to other 4-H'ers is to be curious, explore all that 4-H offers and have fun as you learn new skills," he said. "Most importantly, use these skills and passions to give back to the community and pass on your skills to the next generation to inspire them to be changemakers in their community."
The 4-H Youth in Action Awards began in 2010 to recognize 4-H'ers who have overcome challenges and used the knowledge they gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their communities.
"I am excited to use this platform to inspire, educate, and make a lasting impact on the world of STEM education and youth development," Suchindra said. "I am eager to connect with other educators and mentors to learn how they spread STEM in their communities. Together, we will be able to magnify efforts to spread STEM and involve more 4-H youth in this curriculum."
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring, and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
