CHICAGO, Ill. — University of Illinois Extension at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (Chicago Ag) is proud to recognize six of our Seniors for their 4-H participation, hard work, and dedication. Kaden Ambers, Carmen Jackson, Jeremias Jimenez, Kaleb Knox, Laycha Sarante-Toribio, and Lailah Smith have participated in Illinois Extension programs throughout their time at Chicago Ag, including attending Illini Summer Academies, Ignite by 4-H Conference, and holding leadership positions with Illinois 4-H as IDEA Leaders and members of the Regional Youth Leadership Advisory Team (RYLAT), promoting equity and inclusion in agricultural education. In school, they have assisted with the Extension-led Ag Literacy Day event and founded Planting the Future, a student group focused on food justice and leadership development.
Kaden Ambers, who will be attending University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the fall to seek a degree in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (ALEC), shared, “From the National 4-H Ignite Conference to presentations at local elementary schools, this program has allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and obtain some fortes that I can apply to my future career. … Overall, my experience in extension has made me beyond ready for my future career, responsibilities, and personal independence.”
Lailah Smith, who will be attending University of Illinois Chicago in the fall to seek a degree in accounting, shared, “I’ve really enjoyed my experiences working with Extension, especially getting the opportunity to teach younger students. I love working with kids and helping them learn about agriculture and the food challenges we face in Chicago. … As a certified 4-H teen teacher, I enjoy creating engaging lessons and helping students understand where their food comes from and why it matters. It’s rewarding to see them become more curious and informed, and it motivates me to keep teaching and advocating for agricultural education in my community.
Laycha Sarante-Toribio will be pursuing a degree in Biology at Depauw University; Kaleb Knox will be pursuing a degree in Agricultural and Consumer Economics at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; and Jeremias Jimenez and Carmen Jackson will be pursuing careers in education and accounting, respectively. All six Seniors will be celebrated at Chicago HS for Agricultural Sciences’ FFA Chapter Banquet on May 7th.
Ms. Whitney Baldwin serves as advisor and is the Illinois Extension Educator at Chicago Ag. Through this partnership, Ms. Baldwin supports students interested in a future in food and agriculture through in-class programs and training, field experiences and job shadows, leadership development opportunities, and more.
WRITER: Whitney Baldwin, commercial agriculture educator, serving the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences in Cook County.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.