MANLY, Iowa —Worth County will send six people to the National 4-H Congress Nov. 29 to Dec. 3 in Atlanta.
"Three times we've sent five, but this is the first time we've had six going from our county," said Dennis Johnson, Worth County Extension education specialist. "We've probably sent a total of 70 young people since 1984."
"Worth County does really well sending delegates to things because of the youth-adult partnership," said Jayde Hapgood, a Northwood-Kensett senior. "The adults really target youth and let them know these opportunities exist and help them through every step of the process preparing them with the resume, application, interviews. Even way before that, they make sure we have citizenship and communication skills right from the get-go in 4-H."
Gage Tenold, a Northwood-Kensett senior, said 4-H leaders are supportive.
"They don't hold your hand, but they're willing to help along the way," he said.
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The six 4-H'ers bound for Atlanta have impressive resumes. In addition to strong 4-H and community involvement, they are involved in many school activities. They shared their experiences during a recent interview at Central Springs High School in Manly.
Katie Fuller, a junior at Central Springs, joined 4-H in eighth grade.
"I was very shy," she said. "4-H has done amazing things for me."
She has participated in citizenship, photography and home improvement projects and has competed for state awards for three years. As a freshman, she was a state citizenship winner. She plans to start an art/photography/literature club in school this year with the goal of creating a book of student art work, photography and poetry.
Hannah Gentz, a Northwood-Kensett senior, has been president of the Deer Creek Wohelos 4-H Club for five years.
Her club organizes a food drive for the local food pantry and volunteers at a local nursing home. Gentz is involved in photography and food and nutrition projects.
At school she started Viking Way, a group aimed at bullying prevention. Viking Way won second place for its video presentation at the Governor's Bullying Prevention Summit in Des Moines.
"I'm looking forward to meeting lots of new people and learning about different 4-H groups and what they do," Gentz said of the National 4-H Congress.
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Hapgood is president of the Green Shamrocks 4-H Club and is on the State 4-H Council where she co-chairs the finance committee and is in charge of the 4-H'ers for 4-H Campaign. Her local club works with Relay for Life setting up the luminaries around the track. The club puts on a variety show raising $1,000 each year for Relay for Life.
Hapgood attended the National 4-H Conference last spring where she met with Iowa's congressional delegation and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
Tenold serves on the county council. He helps with many local activities including Share the Fun and 4-H Fire-up. He is vice president of the Deer Creek Ribbon Takers and participates in photography and communications projects.
"I'm looking forward to experiencing different cultures at the National 4-H Congress," Tenold said. "I've lived in Iowa all my life."
Aaron Prestholt, a junior at Central Springs, belongs to the Golden Banner 4-H Club. He is on county council and he won the state communications and state citizenship awards.
"I want to see how 4-H affects different states and cultures," said Prestholt. "4-H has a huge effect in Iowa and in Worth County. 4-H has given me a lot of skills that I will use later in life. It's instilled a lot confidence in me that I don't think I would have without it."
Levi Nettleton, a junior at Central Springs, is president of the Golden Banner 4-H Club. He serves on county council. As a freshman he was first place beef judge and second overall individual livestock judge at the state.
"I look forward to meeting new people and experiencing other cultures at the National 4-H Congress," Nettleton said. "I've lived in Iowa all my life."
