West Virginia 4-H Announces 2024 Youth in Action Award Winners

Emma Wade, the recipient of the WVU 4-H Youth in Action Agriculture Award and resident of Ohio County, credits 4-H with having a tremendous impact by helping her define her interests and passions. “The experiences that I have gotten from 4-H gave me the confidence and the inspiration to step outside of my comfort zone and teach some special kids about my love for agriculture.”

Emma’s love for agriculture fueled her to teach a ten-week class for third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders in her homeschool group. After being heavily involved in this group for many years and establishing lasting relationships, Emma wanted to be able to give back to the younger kids. Emma was responsible for planning the lessons to gathering supplies. She became very familiar with the National Ag in the Classroom and the American Farm Bureau websites. Emma was able to share so many topics that she loves with the students, including soil nutrition, how to use fertilizers responsibly, and animal husbandry. Through this class, Emma was able to give back to her community, sharing her knowledge while fostering curiosity in the next generation of farmers and 4-H’ers.

Emma's involvement in 4-H has also broadened her horizons beyond the classroom. Serving as the 2023 Ohio County Country Fair Queen, she connected with her community in new ways. “From teaching me life lessons to giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams, 4-H has afforded me numerous experiences which have helped me flourish.” With experiences that range from serving as president of her 4-H club to shadowing veterinarians and assisting with livestock care, 4-H has shaped Emma’s career aspirations in veterinary medicine and agriculture. "Without 4-H, there is no possibility that I would be the person that I am today," she shares a sentiment that reflects the program's profound influence on her growth, skills, and future.

Nathan Tyska, the recipient of the Youth in Action Civic Engagement award and resident of Ohio County, has become an inspiring example of how the program helps youth build confidence, develop leadership skills, and discover new talents. Through his time with 4-H, Nathan has tackled and overcome challenges like social anxiety and a lack of motivation, while also discovering his passion for creative activities such as acting, gardening, cross-stitching, and archery. “4-H changed my outlook on life by making me realize that it’s not always about the end goal,” said Nathan. “I learned that to overcome obstacles, it requires not just intelligence and skill, but also commitment, perseverance, and courage.”.

In the spring of 2023, Nathan took on a key leadership role in organizing the “4-H Eggstravaganza” event, designed to connect the community to 4-H and introduce young families to its programs. As a teen leader, he helped plan the event, led activities, and guided children through the egg hunt and other engaging experiences. Nathan’s leadership and collaborative approach made the event a success, with families leaving with a greater understanding of 4-H and how it can support youth development and community involvement. Reflecting on his motivation for taking on the role, Nathan shared, “I wanted to be a leader because I want to get more people interested in 4-H and in turn help out their communities.”

Nathan’s experience with 4-H has empowered him to pursue new challenges with determination and resilience, qualities that he now shares with others through his leadership roles. The skills and confidence he has gained will continue to serve him as he embraces future opportunities. “4-H inspired me to take on greater challenges and taught me the value in staying determined,” Nathan explained. Nathan Tyska’s story is a testament to the power of 4-H to equip young people with lifelong skills, instill a commitment to service, and make a lasting impact on the community.

Healthy Living

Carlee Staggs, the recipient of the Youth in Action Healthy Living award and resident of Mineral County, is making a significant impact in her community by teaching young people about the dangers of vaping and promoting healthier lifestyle choices. A passionate advocate for health and wellness, Carlee has taken her role as a 4--H Health Ambassador seriously, working alongside her peers to educate primary and middle school students on the risks associated with vaping. "The impact we had on these students will last a lifetime," she shared, reflecting on her experiences. "We all worked as a team to teach different lessons that added up to the conclusion that vaping is very unhealthy and can cause death." Her commitment to making a difference in her community is evident in the energy she brings to each educational session.

Carlee credits the 4-H program with providing her the confidence and skills she needs to lead and inspire others. Through her involvement, Carlee has overcome challenges, including a natural timidity about public speaking, and transformed herself into a capable and compelling educator. “4-H has given me joy, confidence, and most of all passion,” she said. "When I say passion, I mean the urge and desire to always be at 4-H helping others and being selfless." Carlee has been a shining example of how stepping out of one's comfort zone and embracing new challenges can lead to profound personal growth.

Her work through the WVU 4-H Health Rocks! program is already helping to reduce vaping in schools and encouraging teens to consider the impact of their choices. “These lessons have really helped to cut the number of vapes in schools down, and to keep teens in our community healthy,” she explained. Carlee’s story serves as an inspiring reminder of the positive change young leaders can bring to their communities.

STEM

Carter Takarsh, the recipient of the Youth in Action STEM award and resident of Putnam County, has embraced 4-H values from a young age, actively participating in 4-H animal projects, archery classes, and community-based conservation initiatives. His experiences have led him to pursue a major in Animal Studies, with aspirations to become a zookeeper and contribute to the conservation of endangered species. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without 4-H,” Carter shared. “It’s been my pathway to discovering my passions and choosing my future in animal conservation.”

Carter’s achievements extend to archery, a skill he developed over years of determination. Despite initial setbacks, Carter’s commitment to archery grew through 4-H camps, where he eventually earned the Older Boys' Top Archer award at his county’s 4-H camp. His hard work paid off when he signed an NCAA letter of intent to join his college’s archery team, marking a major milestone in his athletic career. “When I didn’t make my school’s archery team, 4-H stepped in, giving me a place to improve my skills and become the archer I am today,” said Carter. “I’m grateful that my journey in archery will continue at the college level.”

Beyond his personal achievements, Carter has made a lasting impact on his community through conservation efforts as a youth mentor and long-time member of the CloverSTEMs, Putnam County’s 4-H-based FIRST LEGO League team. He has spearheaded projects like the “Don’t Ditch Your Drink” plastic recycling initiative and a Little Free Library to provide his rural community with reading materials. “Carter’s leadership and commitment to the environment have set an inspiring example for everyone in 4-H,” said a representative of his local 4-H program.