March 2021 State Council Corner

Meet the New Council

The 2021 PA 4-H State Council was inducted during the 2021 State Leadership Conference in February. The team had training and orientation where they did a lot of team building and planned their goals for the rest of the year. Most of it was virtual, however they were able to have one day in person. While still being socially distanced, they were able to plan the theme for the rest of the year, Be Different Together. All of the new Council members are super excited for the year and all of the new opportunities.

Livy Jumper - President

I'm Livy Jumper, a 12-year 4-H member from Westmoreland County. I'm currently 17 years old, and I'm a junior at Mount Aloysius College. I was roped into 4-H with my three older siblings when I was five years old, and my world changed drastically after stepping into the New Alexandria Home Economics club. I was shy, quiet, and I never tried new things (though I was only 5!). After 12 years filled with incredible adventures, I can proudly say that I am irreversibly different than I was back then. Through projects, clubs, competitions, fairs, state events, national trips, and countless friendships, I have become a whole new person. Some of my favorite highlights of these opportunities include the horse project, the poultry project, the cultural exchange club (through which I was able to visit Colorado and Minnesota!), National Congress, being a counselor at numerous camps, and of course, State Council. I'm so excited to help influence youth through State Council the way so many older members influenced me along this fantastic journey. More specifically, I'm really looking forward to attending various county events like officer training nights, because I can't wait to meet 4-H'ers from all over the state and learn about how this outstanding program impacts youth in different ways!

Norah Carter - Vice President of Operations

My name is Norah Carter, and I am a 17-year-old junior at Pine-Richland High School. After being in the Riding for the Handicapped program in my county, which allows kids with disabilities to learn to ride horses, it was recommended to me to join the North Ridge Riders 4-H club. From my first meeting, I fell in love with the leadership opportunities that 4-H provided. After attending SLC, my 4-H educator suggested starting a County Council. With other members from my county, I piloted the Council, and gained so many new experiences and friendships. Throughout my 4-H career, I have participated in equine showing and judging, the Science of Agriculture Challenge, Capital Days, the Health Rocks program, and much more. I am currently working to complete my Diamond Clover project, where I am facilitating a mental health and confidence-building program for young girls. These experiences have without a doubt shaped me into the person I am today, and I am beyond stoked for this year of growth and service as a member of State Council. One of my biggest passions is advocating for agriculture and 4-H through civic engagement, and I am looking forward to speaking with politicians and stakeholders on 4-H's behalf. Most importantly, though, I am excited to get to know as many 4-H'ers as possible, as listening to others is the best way to grow oneself.

Isabel Poorbaugh - Vice President of Events

My name is Isabel Poorbaugh, I am 17 years old and a senior at Connellsville Area Senior High School. I joined my first 4-H club, New Horizons Livestock Club, 10 years ago and my eight-year-old self-had no idea about the amazing opportunities and experiences that would soon be heading my way. I began my 4-H career with a lamb and pig project and soon began showing steers. I then joined Fayette County's Teen County Council, participated in the Science of Ag Challenge, the Food Challenge, a local mentoring 4-H program, and now State Council. My 4-H experience thus far has been a whirlwind of amazing friends from all over the country, life-changing opportunities, and unforgettable memories. I am thrilled about this upcoming year on State Council! Throughout this year, I am really looking forward to seeing the development of the events that I have loved attending in the past. I know what it is like to attend these different events, but now I am excited to see what the behind the scenes looks like!

Abigail Hawk - Vice President of Internal Affairs

When I was nine years old, my best friend was involved in the 4-H pig club. Being a child, I was reluctant as I didn't want to be smelly with pigs, but eventually I caved in and joined the club. Honestly, I thought 4-H was only pigs, goats, and cows, but I was wrong. After six years of pig club, a new club called Teen Council was created and I decided to join. Then a lot of opportunities came my way, such as PA 4-H State Council, being a national entertainer for the 4-H National Hall of Fame Ceremony, and receiving many awards through 4-H. I may have only done swine projects and teen leadership club, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. Honestly, I was really surprised that I was selected for State Council. I am truly looking forward to learning and experiencing everything. This is something completely different to anything I have ever done before, so learning new things, meeting new people, gaining and creating new opportunities is what I'm most excited about. In addition, I hope our team and I will be different than teams before. I want to get to know as many 4-H'ers as possible as well as 4-H'ers getting to know us. Creating more inclusivity with sexes, races, cultures, projects, and just people is really important to me. One event I'm excited about is Capital Days. I was going to attend last year, but due to COVID-19, it was canceled. I truly enjoy government and political things despite them being controversial and aggravating at times. I wanted to get to know the people that represent and make decisions for me on my behalf.

Secretary - Claire Cohick

Hello my name is Claire Cohick and I am 18 years old and a freshman at Delaware Valley University. I am from Cumberland County and currently I am member of 4-H Goat club, Teen Leadership Council, and the Exchange club. I started out when I was eight years old and my very first project was a little market goat. Over the past 11 years I have expanded my livestock projects to breeding goats, market goats, market swine, and dairy beef. Thanks to my older sister I then got involved in my county's Teen Leadership Council and it opened up a whole lot of opportunities on developing leadership qualities. Throughout the years I have made some amazing friends and met some great people along the way. This year I am very excited to be meeting even more people through this amazing experience. Listening to others and allowing them to share their 4-H story is what I look forward to.

Sentinel - Maria Sipe

My name is Maria Sipe, I am 17 years old and I am a senior at Connellsville Area High School. I am from Fayette County and am a member of New Horizons 4-H livestock club, Teen County Council, and Livestock Judging team. I was eight years old when I started my career in 4-H and I never could have imagined what it would amount to. 4-H has had a major impact on my life and developed me into the person I am today. At eight years old I was the shy girl in the back of the club meeting. Today, I hold a State Council position. I am really looking forward to my year as a Council member and can't wait to see what the next year has in store for our team. One thing I am really looking forward to attending is the Pennsylvania Farm Show as a Council member. I've always seen it on an exhibitor level and I am really looking forward to seeing it on a larger scale. I hope over the next year to connect with as many 4-H members from across the state as possible and to learn more about their 4-H stories.

Reporter and Historian - Tayler Garges

Hello, my name is Tayler Garges, I am 17 years old, and I am a senior at Souderton Area High School. I started 4-H ten years ago in the livestock club and have now branched out to also be a part of the livestock judging team, potato judging team, and my county's 4-H development board. I never would've imagined that the shy nine-year-old sitting in the back of the room would be a member of the State Council, but I could not be more excited! I am looking forward to attending Capital Days this year because I have never been and I heard that it's a very fun event. One of the things that I am most excited for this year is to meet so many new people and to be able to hear their 4-H stories.