Delaware delegates attend National 4-H Congress
Two Sussex County 4-H youth were part of a seven-member team of Delaware 4-H members who represented Delaware as delegates to the National 4-H Congress over the 2015 Thanksgiving weekend. The 94-year tradition recognizes a career of 4-H leadership and project work.
In order to be eligible, 4-H members must be 14 to 19 years of age and submit a state 4-H record book that chronicles the scope of their leadership, community service and project work acquired through their years of involvement as a Delaware 4-H member.
The delegates from the First State joined approximately 1,000 other delegates from the U.S. and its territories. Delegates participated in leadership development workshops and engaged in a hands-on, service-learning experience. Delegates met other 4-H members and exchanged best practices from their states on how 4-H Youth Development is implemented.
“Our 4-H delegates represented Delaware well,” said Jill Jackson, 4-H agent and chaperone for the event. “From being active in group discussions and getting to know teens from all over the United States, this group impressed me with their skills and knowledge.”
Sussex County 4-H youth were Laurie Wroten and Shawn Mitchell.
Wroten, 17, is an eight-year member of the Dublin Hill 4-H Club, and a member of the Sussex 4-H Junior Council. She is a junior at Sussex Technical High School. Her main 4-H projects are Foods and Nutrition, Arts and Crafts, Leadership and Citizenship. Other projects include Sheep, Photography and Horticulture.
Wroten is actively involved in several 4-H activities including Junior Leader Weekend, State Teen Conference, State 4-H Camp and the Delaware State Fair. When asked to write about her most memorable 4-H experience, it was hard for Wroten to choose just one. Wroten credits her camp counselors and older 4-H members with helping her to come out of her shell and participate in many activities. She believes 4-H isn’t an assortment of memories, it is a single, collective experience that shapes one's life and changes a person for the better. Wroten resides in Greenwood with her parents Randy and Robin Wroten.
Mitchell, 16, is active in Delaware 4-H through his main 4-H projects of Foods and Nutrition, Sheep, Citizenship and Leadership. He is also involved in other project areas including Arts and Crafts, Horticulture and Photography. Mitchell is a sophomore at Sussex Technical High School and has been an eight-year member of Dublin Hill 4-H Club where he has held roles as a junior leader, treasurer of Sussex 4-H Junior Council and also as a 4-H camp counselor. Mitchell looks up to his brother and older 4-H members for their leadership and camp counselor skills.
The 2014-15 4-H year gave Mitchell many opportunities to improve his leadership skills while he served as assistant treasurer for Sussex 4-H Junior Council, attended State Teen Council meetings and helped plan the State Teen Conference. Mitchell also had the opportunity to serve as a counselor at Fall Overnighter, Younger Member Weekend and 4-H Day Camp. For his hard work and dedication as a leader, Mitchell was presented the Hands Award for Sussex 4-H as well as the Future Blue Hen Award. Mitchell is enthusiastic about 4-H and cannot wait to see what 4-H has in store for him. Mitchell resides in Greenwood with his parents David and Melissa Mitchell.
Wroten and Mitchell joined fellow 4-Hers Micaela Harvey, Mary Beth Robbins and Spring Vasey from Kent County, and Rose Reynolds and Alexandra Swan from New Castle County.
Jackson said many of the guest speakers emphasized the importance of youth finding their passion and being authentic. He said, “I believe many of the teens took this to heart and will apply 'being YOU' to their goals for the future.”
“This is a capstone event in the 4-H career of our teens,” said Jackson. “They worked hard and have become excellent leaders throughout their years in Delaware 4-H.”
