10/11/2025
We are so glad to be a part of Summer's spark. Read the post below to see how her 4-H journey has her beyond ready!
is a time to celebrate the growth, leadership, and lifelong impact of 4-H—and no one embodies that better than Summer.
From campfires to committee meetings, Summer’s journey through has shaped her into a leader who brings joy, connection, and purpose to others. Her story is a powerful reminder of how 4-H prepares youth to be for life and work.
👇 Read her inspiring reflection below and join us in celebrating the heart of .
Impact doesn’t start with a title—it starts with a purpose.
Being a state officer last year, and now coming into this year, I’ve made so many new memories. But when I think about what I want to leave behind, I think about the impact. I want to leave behind belonging, connection, and joy in this program, for the youth who are in it now and those who will be in it later.
So, picture this: it’s third executive board of last year and we had just finished our campfire. I had just finished giving out the last senior superlative and Ms. Kelsey’s had just finished a passionate, but heart-wrenching camp song. We had just finished an awesome crying session when a senior aged 4-Her who had been in my committee came up to me. He told me of how I had made an impact on his life and given him the joy he needed to continue enjoying 4-H.
And that… that was it. That was the moment where everything I had done in 4-H—every late night, every tear, every ounce of effort—hit me. I did it. I had given someone the kind of joy and experience I had always hoped to share.
And the best part is, that moment happened at camp. Camp has been the place where I feel most like myself. It’s shaped me in ways that are hard to put into words. As a state officer, I’ve had the honor of helping at so many events—but often, my focus is on leading and serving, not fully participating. That’s why camp has felt so special. It’s one of the few places where I get to lead, connect, and just be present all at once, not having to worry of the pressure of leadership.
I actually have a 9-year-old pen pal who’s probably missing a letter from me right now. The two weeks I get to be at camp as a junior counselor are what keep me sane. The time I spend at state events and facilitating a place where others can belong gives me pride and keeps me at peace. All of it though, gives me hope—for my own future and for every person I’ve had the privilege to encourage and inspire.
So, while my 4-H journey has had its twists and turns, it has made me who I am. It has given me the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on others and for that, I will always be eternally grateful and proud to call 4-H a home.
