Posted: February 9, 2024
More than 300 Pennsylvania 4-H youth gathered to network and enhance their leadership skills during the 2024 Pennsylvania 4-H State Leadership Conference, held February 2-4 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College.
Back Row L to R: Miller, Strouse, Maine, Knepper, Wright, and McCurdy. Front Row L to R: Emmanuel, Olson, Horton, and Truax
In addition to hosting leadership-oriented workshops and recognizing Pennsylvania 4-H state-level award winners, 4-H administrators at the conference unveiled the new Pennsylvania 4-H State Council team.
The council is a premier group of young people selected from around the state as the official youth spokespeople for the Pennsylvania 4-H program. Throughout the next year of their term, these individuals will represent the program at industry gatherings, plan state-level events, and attend 4-H activities and meetings across the Commonwealth:
— Jordan Olson, Mercer County, president.
Olson is a senior at Lakeview High School and a member of the Hams 4-H Club. Throughout her time in 4-H, she has shown dairy goats, market goats, market hogs, market lambs, breeding sheep, dairy beef, and steers. Her other projects include cake decorating and sewing.
"4-H has taught me to always work hard," she said. "Showmanship, my favorite class, has shown me that with a great work ethic, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to, not only in the ring but also in life."
Olson plans to major in animal science and minor in business, eventually becoming a large-animal veterinarian. She is the daughter of Eric and Crystal Olson, of Stoneboro.
— Alyssa Horton, Huntingdon County, secretary.
Horton is a senior at Tussey Mountain High School. She participates in Southern Pride 4-H Club, Raystown Rabbit Ranchers 4-H Club, and Huntingdon County Council. Her projects include breeding rabbits, sewing, ceramics, and other expressive arts projects.
"The leadership, public speaking, and communication skills that I have developed through 4-H have changed me to be the person I am today," she said. "I have built so many connections and learned so much about myself, my community, my county, and my world."
She plans to study music education in college and eventually teach high school choir.
— Lex McCurdy, Lawrence County, communications committee.
A senior at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, McCurdy is a member of the Plain Grove 4-H Kids Creation Club and 4-H Teen Council.
"4-H has taught me how to best interact with different types of people," McCurdy said. "It's also given me the opportunity to do this in the first place. Through 4-H, you meet so many types of people from all different walks of life."
The child of Jess and Scott McCurdy, of Volant, McCurdy plans to major in political science and become involved in politics.
— Melody Wright, Bradford County, communications committee.
Wright is a homeschooled junior. She serves on the Towanda Creek Community Clovers, Bradford County 4-H Exchange, and Bradford County Council. Her projects include breeding rabbits, 4-H exchange, crafts, and leadership.
"A skill 4-H has taught me is teamwork," she said. "Through working with others, tasks that seemed daunting can be taken care of efficiently. Teamwork is not only crucial in task management but in relationship building as well."
Wright plans to attend college for art history or literature. She is the daughter of Roger and Shawna Wright, of Monroeton.
— Reuben Knepper, Fulton County, communications committee.
A junior at McConnellsburg High School, Knepper is involved in Fulton Liberty Council and the Cove Mountain 4-H Club. He said 4-H has helped improve his public speaking skills.
"Public speaking is something you'll need for life, whether you're talking to a business, boss, family member, or the community," he said.
He plans to study either business or finance in college. Eventually, he wants to expand his livestock business by raising more show cattle and show hogs. He is the son of Craig Knepper, of McConnellsburg.
— Sammi Strouse, Schuylkill County, events committee.
A senior at Blue Mountain High School, Strouse participates in the Blue Mountain Livestock Club and teen council. She also shows market animals such as lambs, steers, hogs, dairy beef, and alpacas.
"I have learned so much about saving and managing money through my involvement with market animals in 4-H," she said. "I have learned to save money to feed my animals and buy more animals."
Strouse plans to join the Air Force as a member of the military police. She is the daughter of Steve and Staci Strouse, of Auburn.
— Victoria Miller, Westmoreland County, events committee.
Miller is a senior at Commonwealth Charter Academy. A member of the Westmoreland County 4-H Club, she participates in horse, cake decorating, dog, marine biology, and cooking activities.
"One skill 4-H has taught me is public speaking," she said. "By participating in public speaking contests in my county and competing in the 2023 Westmoreland Fair Queen contest, I have learned a great deal about making and performing presentations and speeches."
She is the daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Miller, of Scottdale.
— Sawere Truax, Fulton County, events committee.
A senior at McConnellsburg High School, Truax participates in the Cove Mountain 4-H Club with steer, swine, and sheep projects. She also competes in shotgun and archery. She noted that 4-H has developed her public speaking skills and ability to start a conversation with someone new.
"When I first started 4-H, I was a quiet little girl who would not have gone out of my way to talk to anyone, but as I got older that changed with the help of 4-H," she said.
Truax plans to attend the medical program at Liberty University and later become a doctor in the cancer field. She is the daughter of Bradly and Lisa Truax, of McConnellsburg.
— Tucker Maine, Mercer County, outreach committee.
Maine, a senior at Lakeview High School, participates in the Mercer County Baby Beef and Lamb Club, showing market lambs and goats. He credits 4-H with instilling a solid work ethic.
"Raising livestock has taught me that continuous effort and goal setting will improve even the smallest of tasks," he said.
Maine plans to study law in college and continue participating in rodeo, focusing on steer wrestling and roping. He is the son of Brooke Maine, of Mercer.
— Allison Emanuel, Lehigh County, outreach committee.
Emanuel is a first-year student at Penn State Berks. Her 4-H activities include the Farm to Table Club, teen council, potato judging, program development committee, baking, and painting. She noted that 4-H helped sharpen her leadership skills.
"Through the years, I developed as a person and a leader, eventually becoming my club’s president," she said. "I have continued to develop my abilities through being a camp counselor, attending state and national leadership events, and taking on leadership roles in my county."
Emanuel works as a 4-H program assistant for Lehigh County. She plans to finish college with a management major and agribusiness minor. Her parents are Brenda and Jason Emanuel, of Laurys Station.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the United States 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.
