Nine Minnesota 4-H youth selected as delegates for this annual conference, April 5-11 in Washington, DC
On April 5-11, Nolan Hanson, Roseau County 4-H member and Ambassador along with more than 230 youth from 46 delegations across the United States, United States territories, and Canada participated in the National 4-H Conference at the National 4-H Conference Center near Washington, DC. The conference engages youth in developing a briefing to a federal agency on an issue of interest for both the youth and the agency.
Nolan Hanson, one of nine Minnesota 4-H youth selected as a delegate for this year’s conference. The youth engaged in three months of preparatory meetings before they departed for DC. While at the conference, each youth delegate were placed in a round table, a group of peers that were challenged with the task of developing and delivering a briefing to a federal agency. Nolan Hanson was on the safe transportation roundtable and delivered a presentation on Safe Driving to US Department of Transportation (DOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) . Following their briefings, the delegates also had a chance to visit with Minnesota members of Congress and congressional offices. Conference activities also included an educational workshop on civility, a youth town hall, and networking activities with youth from the other 4-H programs. The delegates also had the opportunity to tour the White House, monuments and war memorials, and some museums along the National Mall.
“The National 4-H Conference provides youth with an incredible opportunity to share their perspectives with federal agencies and legislators who represent us in DC,” said Jacquie Lonning, Extension 4-H Youth Development Director of Civic Engagement & Leadership. “As they develop their briefing, they also
gain skills in decision making, intercultural communication, and public speaking, all important skills to prepare them to be change agents in their community.”
Nolan shared with Roseau County 4-H Leader’s Council about his experience and learning gained by attending the National 4-H Conference in April. He chose to learn and develop a briefing on “Safe Driving” to present to the US Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration. Nolan said, “Anyone can be a safe driver as long as they put all of their focus on the road and surroundings and not on your phone.” Roseau County 4-H applauds Nolan for taking on an important topic for all young people across America as they learn to be safe drivers.
Catherine McComas-Bussa, a past attendee at the conference, selected as one of six youth to the 2019 conference Youth Leadership Team (YLT). The YLT works closely with the National 4-H Headquarters to plan and facilitate the annual conference. The youth select the conference theme, keynote speakers, workshop sessions, and they lead general sessions and special networking events throughout the conference.
This experience was sponsored in part by a 4-H endowment at the University of Minnesota Foundation, 4-H Clovermart store, and Roseau County 4-H Leader’s Council. To learn more about the National 4-H Conference, go to https://z.umn.edu/n4hc or contact Jacquie Lonning, civic engagement & leadership director, at 612-624-9117.
Last modified: 04/24/2019
