Hard work combined with the help of a platinum donor made it possible for Southeast Missouri 4-H members to join teens from across the U.S. at Ignite by 4-H in Washington, D.C. For several youth, the recent event was their first time to fly.
With the cost of $1,400 a person, Wayne County youth program associate Davida Pedigo said, “These kids worked very, very hard to raise the money. Our Wayne County group was looking for donations and the Hillcrest Animal Hospital in Poplar Bluff donated a very large sum of money to our club. So these young men and women could go to Washington, D.C. That platinum sponsorship was $2,500.”
Pedigo and the 4-H Club presented a plaque to Hillcrest Animal Hospital at a recent banquet in Poplar Bluff.
Pedigo explained the Wayne County “group worked with the Butler County 4-H and split the profits from the concession stand at the Ag Connect event in Butler County. That is where we were introduced to Dr. Mason Bell from Hillcrest. He asked us for what we were raising funds and why they wanted to attend such an event. The youth discussed the event and answered all his questions and so the next day he presented us with a platinum sponsorship of $2,500 and to be honest some of the teens almost cried.”
Wayne County 4-H members were Aaliyah Higgs, Darrel DJ Douglas, Hope Pedigo, Dallas Tumbas, Brooke Cureton, Harlan Pedigo and 4-H Youth Alumni Aleeha Pedigo and certified volunteers Misty Woodgeard and William Pedigo.
4-H members from other areas include Luke Baugh, Sa’Maya Griffin, Ashlynn Hampton, Keelan Jackson, Amara Johnson, Miles Neely, Lily Rucker and Mekhi Willis Howard.
The summit was a hands-on learning experience to prepare youth to develop action plans to address increased local challenges facing communities, it is essential to design youth-driven programs dedicated to identifying ways to improve health, agriculture and food.
Higgs said, “4-H Ignite was one of my best experiences I’ve ever had. I got to learn new things like creating an app, and trying new things to help me branch out of my comfort zone. This year was my second year and I can’t wait until next year.”
“Overall it was great. It was the first time flying in a plane, which was awesome. I met a lot of teens that had the same interests as me and I had a great time. Seeing the monuments was also very cool,” Douglas said.
Cureton said the event was “very overwhelming but fun. I about freaked out when I had to sit with people I didn’t know. I cried on the plane. The dance was fun — I never danced with a group before. The workshops were cool because I got to choose what I wanted to learn about and not a class that I wasn’t interested in.”
“My mom forced me to go, so in the beginning I wasn’t that interested, but I got to ride a plane for the first time which was beyond awesome,” Harlan Pedigo said. “I learned some cool stuff I didn’t even know was related to ag. I thought the trip to the Smithsonian was cool, but to be able to see the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution was mind blowing cool. I liked running around on the night tour to see all the monuments, that was fun. I had a good time. I learned some stuff and met kids from all over the U.S., which was cool. I made lots of friends and we still Snapchat almost every day. “
Tumbas said, “It was cool. The plane ride was awesome. I had a blast and want to go back next year.”
With increased challenges facing communities, it is essential to design youth-driven programs dedicated to identifying ways to improve health, agriculture and food, 4-H officials said.
Additionally, the teens learned more about the world around them through their interactions with youth from all over the United States. They also had the opportunity to explore the Smithsonian Museums and monuments throughout Washington, D.C.
The teens have developed Lead to Change projects they will implement throughout the year to help their communities. Plans include starting community gardens to fight food insecurity; providing educational classes and events to educate and connect youth and the community to local farmers and growers; and creating a book of poems, art, and stories about the effect of gun violence on teens to help those who may feel like they are dealing with it on their own.
The 2023 Ignite by 4-H was supported by a number of sponsors, including Bayer, Google, Nutrien and the Walmart Foundation.