Ashley Bohannon Selected to Participate in National 4-H Congress

April 5, 2017 Leave a comment


By Mary Loftis, Extension Associate

Ashley Bohannon of Tekamah will traveled to Atlanta, Ga., with other Nebraska 4-Hers to participate in the 2017 National 4-H Congress November 24 – 28, 2017.

National 4-H Congress is the flagship event of the 4-H program. For over 80 years, youth from the United States and its territories have participated in the youth leadership development conference. Congress provides youth, ages 15-19 a quality educational and cross-cultural experience. It is designed to address the needs and issues of youth while helping to develop capable, competent and caring citizens.

Nebraska youth are selected for this honor based on their leadership, community service and educational activities through 4-H. Ashley received her award by winning the Leadership and Citizenship curriculum area through her 4-H Career Portfolio application.

Congress delegates experienced an awesome educational program including a variety of fun and exciting recreational and networking opportunities. The workshop presenters and speakers motivate as well as shared the most current information in their area of expertise. A cultural evening exposes the youth to a variety of forms of fine arts. The conference emphasizes leadership, youth empowerment, and cultural diversity. Delegates visit venues in the city including the Centennial Olympic Park, The World of Coca-Cola, CNN Center, the Carter Presidential Center, and the Martin Luther King Center.

All youth ages 5 to 19 can explore their interests and enhance their potential through 4-H.  This University of Nebraska-Lincoln­ Extension youth development program offers projects for nearly every interest, ranging from Web design to rockets, genealogy, animals large and small, woodworking, fashion, photography, and much, much more.

Other Burt County 4-H members applying for this award this year in various curriculum areas were: Cody Bachtell, of Tekamah; Faith Roscoe and Amelia Schlichting both of Lyons.

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Bohannon Attends National 4-H Congress

December 19, 2014 Leave a comment


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

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

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