• By April W Bowman
• Posted Friday, July 22, 2022

Forsyth County Youth Earn BIG Honors at the 2022 NC 4-H Congress

A delegation of Forsyth County 4-H members attended NC 4-H Congress, which was held in-person this year at on the NC State University campus. Nathan Patton, and Laurelyn Ridge both attended the full four-day event. This year’s 4-H Congress, held July 16-19, represented 4-H programs across the state. Conference delegates participated in general sessions, learned together in workshops, recognized award winners and elected State 4-H Officers for the upcoming year. In addition, they made ornaments for the North Carolina Christmas tree that will be on the West Lawn of the White House this year, made paracord bracelets and put together goody bags for our deployed tropps.

Laurelyn Ridge, 17, daughter of David and Crystal Ridge of Kernersville, was elected to serve as the North Carolina 4-H President for the coming year. Youth campaigned for state offices and new officers were elected on Monday, July 18, and installed at the Clover Candlelight Ceremony. Ten years ago, Nathan Barrick of Winston-Salem received this honor. Laurelyn also received the Citizenship and Civic Development award for having the winning Portfolio (a record of the past three year's work in Citizenship). She also shared her 4-H experience at the Donor Luncheon on Monday, and was selected to sing in the 4-H Entertains Showcase Sunday evening.

Nathan Patton, 17, son of Greg and Karen Patton of Clemmons, was awarded North Central District Youth Volunteer of the Year award. NC 4-H Youth Volunteer Awards are presented annually to individual teens that have provided exemplary service to their communities during the previous year. The program is designed specifically to recognize those 4-H’ers aged 14 -18 who excel in volunteerism and/or service to their communities. Nathan also served as the voting delegate and got to cast the county's votes for the five State 4-H officer positions.

View a short slideshow from the event .

ABOUT 4-H

4-H is North Carolina’s largest youth development organization, equipping more than 263,000 young people each year with the skills to succeed and improve the world around them. 4-H programs and camps encourage young people to “learn by doing,” helping them to develop into active, contributing citizens. NC State Extension and the Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University coordinate 4-H programs statewide.

For more information, email, April Bowman, Extension Agent, Livestock, Forages, and 4-H Youth Development at awbowman@ncsu.edu or call 336-703-2855 or Dr. Monique Pearce-Brady, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development at dmpearc3@ncsu.edu or call 336-703-2856. To volunteer with 4-H, contact Anika Parks, Volunteer Cooridnator at aparks3@ncsu.edu or call 336-703-2848.