Pennsylvania 4-H Reveals New State Project Ambassador Team

Team members officially started their terms on October 12, 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 projects and programming areas. As 4-H staff plan events, write new curricula, or develop 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 opportunity is 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-Hers, 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:

Healthy Living Ambassadors

— Krysta Saar, of Lackawanna County. Saar participates in sewing, cooking, and mindfulness activities and serves on teen council. She also has a passion for archery and welding. "I would like to get more people involved in 4-H, and I would like to grow the mindfulness program," she said.

— Mikayla Deiter, of Perry County, participates in cross stitch and air rifle. "I want to encourage more people to learn about healthy lifestyle choices and adopt them," she said. Deiter has a pet duck named Cheese and plans to pursue a doctorate in medicine and become a practicing physician.

— Lydia Shanks, of Bradford County, is involved in vet science. "I would like to help kids with what they are struggling with and teach people the importance of keeping themselves healthy," Shanks said. She has been dancing for 12 years and plans to work with animals in the future.

Expressive Arts Ambassadors

— Victoria Miller, of Westmoreland County. Miller participates in horse projects, STEM, cake decorating, county council, marine biology, and cooking. "I would like people to learn how to use art to express how they feel," she said.

— Gabriela Solimeo, of Montgomery County. She participates in sewing, archery, and Toastmasters. "I would love to popularize expressive arts because it is a beautiful and inspiring way to show personal flair," she said. "I share a birthday with President Theodore Roosevelt, and like our 26th president, I've never lost a fight with a grizzly bear."

— Gabriella Brandt, of Delaware County. She participates in the sheep club, archery club, and program development committee. "I want to make a meaningful impact in 4-H by teaching urban youth the significance of agriculture," Brandt said. She aims to inspire more young people to participate in state and national activities. A member of the Sacred Heart Academy rowing team, she plans to study animal science and own a farm someday.

— Sarah Bupp, of Butler County, focuses on rabbit breeding, weaving, spinning, felting, sewing, and wildlife. "I raise and show rabbits," she said. Bupp is also a dairy ambassador for Butler County. Her grandparents are retired dairy farmers.   

STEM Ambassadors

— Olivia Miller, of Westmoreland County. She participates in horse projects, STEM, marine biology, cooking, and teen leadership council. "I want people to learn the many things you can do with STEM and just how fun it is," she said.

— Kelton Wenger, of Lancaster County. He is involved in canoeing, camping, and teen leadership activities. He also owns a ball python. "I want more 4-H clubs to have access to STEM," he said.

— Arush Dubey, of Chester County. He participates in the Clover Engineering Club. "I want to extend STEM to more people and in more creative ways," Dubey said. He plans to study engineering and business.

— Aadit Shah, of Chester County, participates in robotics and teen council. "I would try to promote STEM in various ways that make it fun and engaging," Shah said. His favorite drink is strawberry lemon mango boba.

Leadership and Civic Engagement Ambassadors

— Margaret LeViere, of Butler County. Her 4-H projects include dairy goats and pet rabbits. She plans to advocate for agriculture and wildlife — adding that she loves bats and armadillos. "I want people to learn that even kids can be leaders and help their community," she said.

— Emmy McLaughlin, of Indiana County, participates in performance horse, market lamb, dog, environmental science, teen council, air rifle, and archery. "I would love to teach more children about the benefits of 4-H and how it has changed my life," McLaughlin said. She sings in her church worship band and is currently taking welding classes with plans to develop her own herd of show sheep.

— Lilly Mano, of Indiana County, participates in livestock, home economics, and horticulture. "I want to teach people about leadership and help people," Mano said. She owns a miniature Hereford herd and hopes to attend Penn State and become a veterinarian.

— Maggie Palfrey, of Indiana County, is involved in shooting sports, leadership, rabbits, poultry, and fishing. "I would like to educate youth on how the government operates on a local, state, and national level," Palfrey said. She is a coach for a junior marksmanship training unit and plans to shoot on a Division 1 National Collegiate Athletics Association rifle team while pursuing a career in constitutional law.

Environmental Science Ambassadors 

— Alexis Hewitt, of Butler County. In 4-H, she focuses on endangered wildlife. She plans to attend college to study zoology and wildlife conservation. "Many kids are interested in a career in environmental science," she said. "I would like to let other 4-H kids and the public know about the opportunities in this project area."

— Carson Riley, of Huntingdon County. He participates in riflery, shotgun, archery, vegetable and flower gardening, creative arts, canning, grilling, and sport fishing. "I want to share my enthusiasm for the great outdoors with other 4-Hers," Riley said. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and trapping, which fosters his respect for nature, wildlife, and conservation. Riley plans to become a state fish hatchery manager and ties and sells his own fishing flies.

Shooting Sports and Camping Ambassadors

— Madison Cousins, of Armstrong County. She participates in air rifle, smallbore, and shotgun and is involved in ceramics, rabbits, swine, and rocketry. With a first-degree blackbelt in taekwondo, she said, "Something I want people to learn from me is that success can come at any age if you're willing to put in the work."

— Riley Fink, of Indiana County. He participates in teen leadership activities, air rifle, air pistol, shotgun, archery and forestry. "I'd like to teach the patience and life skills that shooting sports and camping provide," Fink said. He also enjoys archery competitions and working with younger children. He plans to attend Penn State DuBois for environmental science and pursue becoming a game warden.

Animal Science Ambassadors  

— Olivia Kelly, of Montgomery County. She is the treasurer of the Seeing Eye Puppy Club and secretary of the Furry Friends Rabbit Club. She also participates in junior Toastmasters and sewing. "I want to help expand poultry project areas, including the avian bowl, Pennsylvania Farm Show participation, and poultry judging," Kelly said. She plans to pursue pediatric nursing and horticulture.

— Abigail Smith, of Monroe County, focuses on animal science and leadership. "My biggest goal is to get everyone to try different things, whether that's showing or raising a new species for your county fair or joining different nonanimal-related clubs in your county because 4-H has so much to offer," Smith said. She plans to attend Penn State for an animal science degree, with hopes of becoming a feed representative for a show feed company.

— Sophia Leiden, of Clearfield County, shows market lamb, market goats, market dairy beef, and market turkeys. "I would like people to learn from me that they should never be scared to try a new project, go to an event, or meet new people," she said. Leiden has played basketball for nine years and plans to become a veterinarian.

— Hialeah Stanton, of Warren County, focuses on leadership and horses. "I want people to learn from me that with any animal you show, there will always be a problem to overcome, but you should never give up because you never know where it could take you," Stanton said. She plans to become a horse chiropractor and compete in rodeos.

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.