Bohannon Attends National 4-H Congress

Nick Bohannon of Tekamah attended the National 4-H Congress right after Thanksgiving representing Burt County and Nebraska 4-H at this prestigious event. Here is a quick summation of this event through his eyes:

I recently returned from National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia. I was part of Nebraska’s 25 delegates, none of which I knew prior to arriving at Eppley Airfield in Omaha.
Early on Black Friday we departed for our 5 day conference. Coming back that next Tuesday was one of the most disappointing trips home I have ever had to take.  After networking with outstanding individuals from 46 states and Puerto Rico on this trip of a lifetime, coming home was kind of a downer.
Throughout the conference week we were able to listen to many fantastic inspirational speakers within the walls of Atlanta’s beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel & Conference Center. We had many cultural events in which we were exposed to foods, dances, and other elements of life that we may never have experienced. For example, at the Atlanta History Center we had the opportunity to watch native African dancers perform and even learn the significance of certain actions within the dance.
Monday morning we did community service work at a city park in downtown Atlanta. In the 250+ acre park in the heart of the city we were able to help the grounds crew clean leaves and prepare for winter.
Additionally, we were able to attend many sessions presented by extension specialists from universities across the country during our time at Congress.
I will never forget the “Give, Talk, Learn” session about the value of service learning projects. These community service projects affect people in ways we could never begin to understand. During the session, Mr. Justin Crowe from the University of Tennessee Extension
told a story about his most memorable service project as an extension agent. Mr. Crowe had
been administering a science fair in a Memphis, Tennessee school district for 4th and 5th
graders. When a young 4th grade girl received 2nd place she was overjoyed to the point where
Mr. Crowe wondered why. Why was this girl so happy? When he spoke with the teacher, he
discovered the little 4th grade girl was homeless. She lived under a bridge a few blocks
from the school and everything she used for her science project had been donated to the local
shelter. That 2nd place 4-H ribbon may have changed that girl’s life in ways most Americans
could never begin to comprehend!
Stories like this remind me daily that every community service project, mentoring program, or 4-H group has a purpose. No matter how minuscule a task may seem, we are changing the lives of someone, regardless of if we see it or not.
Without a doubt 4-H is the best program I have ever had the privilege to be a part of and National 4-H Congress was the trip of a lifetime. I will never forget the memories I have made through 4-H and other community service projects. I encourage everyone reading this to either, get involved, get your kids and grandkids involved, or volunteer today. Keep in mind that anyone can make a difference in the world and 4-H is an outstanding way to begin making your mark.
As the University of Nebraska – Lincoln commercial states “… make waves where there is no ocean …”
Nick Bohannon
2014 National 4-H Congress Delegate

Nick Bohannon

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Nicholas Bohannon
UNL Extension – Burt County
Summer Intern
111 North 13th Street
Tekamah, NE 68061
Office: (402)-374-2929
Mobile: (402)-709-3583
nick.bohannon1@gmail.com