Posted: October 4, 2023
Pennsylvania 4-H recently inducted a new team of State Project Ambassadors. This leadership opportunity is aimed at bringing a youth perspective to statewide program areas.
Left to right (back row): Sarah Bupp, Aadit Shah, Madelaine Alderfer, Alyssa Bergenstock, Grace Ziegmont, Lydia Shanks. (Front row): John Bruner, Ronak Suchindra, Arush Dubey, Ariana Cook, Maggie Palfrey, Ayden Schwesinger
Team members officially started their terms September 30 as they were announced during the organization's State Leadership Conference, Junior.
State Project Ambassadors, called SPAs, will be mentored by 4-H state specialists who represent particular project and programming areas. As 4-H staff plan events, write new curricula or develop any other initiatives, they will consult with their corresponding SPAs to gather ideas and feedback. A maximum of four SPAs can represent each project area. SPAs serve a one-year term, with an option to reapply for the following year.
"This is an opportunity for youth to be in a position to share experiences and ideas and otherwise be visible in the program," said Paul McFarland, 4-H education program specialist and SPA team co-advisor for Penn State Extension.
"This opportunity is also a great way for young people to enhance their sparks and share them with others," said Jeanette Stackhouse, 4-H education specialist for leadership and civic engagement. "Our ambassadors have a unique platform to show other 4-H’ers, who may still be figuring out their interests, the excitement of that project area and where it can take them."
The new team of State Project Ambassadors includes the following 4-H members:
Environmental Science, Shooting Sports, and Camping Ambassadors
— Grace Ziegmont, of York County. Ziegmont participates in archery, air pistol, wildlife activities, and teen council. She hopes to attend Penn State DuBois and study wildlife technology with the goal of working at the crossroads of environmental education and legislation.
— Ariana Cook, of Bradford County. Her 4-H projects include entomology, breeding goats and rabbits, and serving as club president. "I want people to know that insects are way cooler than they tend to think and there's a lot to learn about them," she said, adding that she has kept an insect collection for eight years.
— Ayden Schwesinger, of Wayne County, is involved in riflery and photography with 4-H. He also loves traveling. In college, he plans to study mechanical engineering.
— John Bruner, of Indiana County, participates in archery; shotgun; air rifle; forestry; wildlife; market swine, lambs, and goats; breeding goats; and teen leadership activities. He serves as a national 4-H shooting sports ambassador for Pennsylvania. "I hope to assist future members attending the national shooting sports contests be more prepared by providing information about the event," he said. He expressed interest in operating his own archery business someday.
Healthy Living and Expressive Arts Ambassadors
— Sarah Bupp, of Butler County, participates in rabbit breeding, sewing, cavy, wildlife, fiber arts such as spinning and weaving, and expressive arts. She said she enjoys teaching others about wool and fiber arts.
— Lydia Shanks, of Bradford County, serves as club vice president and takes part in kitchen chemistry, the 4-H STEM challenge, and dance. "Expressive arts can include all varieties of art — performance art, music, visual art, photography — the possibilities are endless," she said.
Leadership and Civic Engagement Ambassadors
— Madelaine Alderfer, of Bradford County. Her 4-H projects include crafts, exploring the environment, and market goats. Outside of 4-H, she is the top player on her tennis team. She said she hopes to show 4-H’ers the diversity and benefits of leadership projects and events.
— Maggie Palfrey, of Indiana County, participates in riflery, air rifle, archery and shotgun, as well as in poultry, forestry, and leadership activities. "I hope to be a positive role model for other 4-H members and help educate them on leadership skills and how our government operates on a county, state, and national level," she said.
— Alyssa Bergenstock, of Montour County, is involved with 4-H leadership activities, market lambs and goats, and breeding goats. "I want to help bridge the gap between youth and our leaders," she said. "I want to help show everyone that our youth voice is valuable, and we can make a difference and work with our leaders to do so." She expressed interest in agricultural policy as a career.
STEM Ambassadors
— Aadit Shah, of Chester County, participates in 4-H robotics clubs and enjoys riding his bike and playing soccer. "I want students to be more interested in STEM fields such as robotics and engineering and would like to teach youth about future technologies such as AI and machine learning in a simple way," he said.
— Arush Dubey, of Chester County, serves on teen council and likes working with computers and playing soccer. "I would like to spread STEM to more people and add more diversity to the field along with adding more leadership roles," he said.
— Ronak Suchindra, of Chester County, serves on teen council and as a STEM and computer science ambassador. He said he enjoys 3D printing and teaching youth through his nonprofit organization, Kids Connect. As an ambassador, he aims to provide youth with new experiences and resources so they can continue to discover and build on their passions.
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.
