NJ contingent at the 4-H Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C. L-R: Reeti Rout, Allison Lopez, Jennessa Raval, Katie Mirne and Zhihe “Emma” Yin
Five New Jersey teens traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in a national 4-H Leadership Academy, a new program that aims to develop young leaders into lifelong problem solvers passionate about tackling society’s biggest challenges.
The academy was founded by Joel Roth, Atlanta-based businessman and philanthropist with a $1.1M gift to the National 4-H Council in 2024, who believed an investment in 4-H was an investment in society through the next generation of leaders.
“The problems facing our society are getting bigger and bigger, and more and more lasting. It’s increasingly important that we prepare young people to be thoughtful, effective leaders who are well positioned to take on these challenges,” said Roth said. “4-H’s national reach, university-backed expertise, network of highly trained educators, in-person and virtual programming options, and longstanding reputation make them the perfect positive youth development partner for this new academy.”
Across the United States, 4-H clubs and camps form the youth wing of a partnership between local, state and federal governments, and public land-grant universities. In New Jersey, 4-H Youth Development is a department of Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE). Faculty and staff are housed in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties, delivering the evidence-backed, research-based science from the university to families throughout the Garden State.
“Programs offered through 4-H provide youth an opportunity to not only learn, but to share what they’ve learned. I believe that the young people involved in the 4-H Leadership Academy embody this to the fullest,” said Matthew Newman, chair of the Department of 4-H Youth Development.
L-R: Participants Kylene Stewart, Katie Mirne, Allison Lopez, Reeti Rout, Jennessa Raval, Zhihe Emma Yin and Kelly Dziak, Rutgers 4-H Department of Youth Development.
One of five states invited to participate in the pilot program, New Jersey teens joined their peers from Ohio, Minnesota, Alabama and Idaho in the nation’s capital. Over the span of 18 months, beginning in spring 2024, five teens from each state completed a rigorous leadership curriculum that covered topics like critical thinking, problem solving, communication and civic engagement.
Program participants were challenged to identify and research a local community issue, after which they worked in collaboration with community leaders to develop and carry out a plan of action. The five New Jersey 4-H teens selected for this program focused their efforts on different community projects focused on STEM education, accessibility and inclusion and empowering youth voice.
- Allison Lopez (Mercer) – STEM 4-US
- This camp increased accessibility of STEM concepts through hands-on workshops for ESL students in Trenton.
- Reeti Rout (Middlesex) – STEM Summit
- This event provided youth with hands-on educational experiences and guest speakers covering topics in cyber security, artificial intelligence, coding, and robotics.
- Jennessa Raval (Middlesex) – Heart 2 Heart
- Community awareness of the experiences of children with chronic illnesses was the focus for this project. Efforts included public awareness events, in-patient social gatherings, and a pen pal program.
- Zhihe “Emma” Yin (Somerset) – Coloring for All
- This project was in collaboration with the Children’s Specialized Hospital to design and distribute a coloring book to increase visible representation of children with special health needs.
- Katie Mirne (Monmouth) – Project Speak
- A series of workshops, trainings, and a career panel were held to build public speaking and self-advocacy skills in teens.
The teens were required to evaluate their efforts and formally presented their work at the leadership academy.
“Their presentations offered a wide range of lived experiences but shared the same desire to positively impact their communities,” said Kelly Dziak, 4-H agent, RCE of Morris County and state leader for this program. “Each teen’s unique perspective added depth to conversations and provided insight into the complexity of community barriers. Participants worked together to share ideas for solutions and resources.”
In attendance were national stakeholders including representatives from National 4-H Council, Congressional 4-H alumni, Youth in Action Award winners and corporate sponsors. The New Jersey 4-H youth were supported throughout the program and the capstone event by Dziak and Kylene Stewart, 4-H program associate, RCE of Monmouth County.
