Kansas youth selected to attend National 4-H Congress
Community service, leadership among several learning opportunities
Nov. 15, 2023
By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Twenty-four Kansas 4-H youth have been selected to represent the state during the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, set for the Thanksgiving weekend.
Amy Sollock, a 4-H youth development specialist in southwest Kansas, said the annual event “offers an opportunity to grow as an individual, as well as a chance to learn about 4-H from their peers across the nation.”
More than 800 youth from across the country will participate in National 4-H Congress, which is in its 101st year. Sollock said Kansas’ delegates include state 4-H project award winners, as well as those selected for the annual Key Award or Centennial Award.
The Kansas contingent, in alphabetical order by county, includes:
Allen County (Southwind District) – Kyser Nemecek.
Butler County – Kylee Barlett and Trena Garcia.
Cloud County (River Valley District) – Aubrey Stahlman.
Coffey County – McKenzie Krueger.
Crawford County (Wildcat District) – Johanna Walker.
Finney County (West Plains District) – Baylee Hutchinson.
Harvey County – Abby Banta.
Johnson County – Ryan Brethour.
Leavenworth County – Gavin Shupe.
Lyon County – Ava Karcher.
Marshall County – Dustin Denton.
McPherson County – Joseph Westerman.
Republic County (River Valley District) – Clayton Carlgren and Zachary Piroutek.
Saline County (Central Kansas District) – Brynna Anderson and Reygan Schrock.
Scott County (West Plains District) – Kate Rogers.
Sedgwick County – Carly Collins and Christopher Mork.
Shawnee County – Meredith Burgess.
Stafford County (21 Central District) – Ian Dunn.
Stevens County (Wild West District) – Channing Dillinger.
Wallace County (Sunflower District) – Brennan Aldridge.
“One of the favorite experiences for many youth is the community service day, during which delegates engage in a number of service projects in and around Atlanta,” said Sollock, adding that the National 4-H Congress provides a “safe environment for teens to socialize, demonstrate leadership and practice civic engagement,” key principles of the 4-H experience.
The event, which runs Nov. 24-28. includes tours and recreational opportunities throughout the city. Keynote speakers include a New York Times best selling author, a motivational speaker, the CEO and president of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the associate director for programs at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
“I hope these youth try new things, meet new people, make new friends and have a lot of laughs along the way,” Sollock said. “These are the kinds of memories that last a lifetime.”
More information about opportunities available through Kansas 4-H is available online, and at local extension offices in Kansas.
