NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Sixteen New Jersey 4‑H members are ready to take on the challenges of leadership after experiencing the vibrant, living classroom of the nation’s capital as part of Leadership Washington Focus, an intensive 4‑H leadership development program for middle-school youth held July 15–19 at the National 4‑H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Md.
The New Jersey delegates who attended the conference were Alycia Klaus of Burlington County; Kate DiGilio from Cape May County; Isabela Saltar from Cumberland County; Cassidy Hunt and Annabelle Majorossy from Hunterdon County; Mahi Gupta and Kailey Sinko from Morris County; Lacey Jernstedt, Grace Leavitt and Alex Morgan from Ocean County; Sky Sedlacek from Passaic County; Fashia Comerford from Salem County; Sophia Gaudet, Jacquilin Kirby and Rishikesh Ravi from Somerset County; and Paige Patrie from Sussex County.
LWF provided 4‑H members from across the country with the opportunity to travel to Washington and participate in experiential learning that develops and enhances leadership competency in the four key areas of critical thinking, collaboration, communication and confidence; preparing youth to return home and lead the way toward positive changes in their own communities.
“Leadership Washington Focus provided a valuable learning experience for New Jersey 4‑H Members. Our delegation met 4‑H members from Wyoming, California, Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan, Virginia, Maryland, Wisconsin, Arizona and Vermont, as well as listened to motivational speakers and participated in workshops that developed communication skills, increased leadership capacity and built lifetime skills,” said Jeannette Rea Keywood, 4‑H Agent, Department of 4‑H Youth Development.