BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — Illinois 4-H, the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, empowers young people to dream about better tomorrows and gives them the tools to explore their future. Each month, Illinois Extension in Grundy, Kankakee, and Will Counties highlights the experiences of a local 4-H youth.
This month's spotlight features Clara Chappell, a 4-H member from the Momence Troopers 4-H Club in Kankakee County. Chappell is currently in her fourth year of being a 4-H member.
She recently shared more about her 4-H experience as well as her hopes for the future:
"My 4-H Story" by Clara Chappell
"My 4-H life started about 3 years ago, but I have shown cattle for 4.5 years and have lived on a farm even longer. I am also very active in my community volunteering as well as the cattle industry, such as skillathons, essay contests, photo contests, cattle shows, local programs, public speaking, etc. I show my cattle at junior nationals, local fairs, and various jackpots shows around Illinois and nearby states. I enjoy doing lots of workshops whenever I can.
My parents were active in 4-H when they were kids as well. They showed cattle and other animals and did a variety of projects. I was first introduced when I was 8 years old, and I have grown a lot. I was historian in my club for 2 years and now I am vice president of my club. 4-H is very fun for me because I get to be myself and go around the world with my friends and family and meet many new people.
This year, I did many projects including food science, cooking, family heritage, interior design, sewing, vet science, scrapbooking, wildlife, photography, geology, and beef cattle. I hope to do more and more over the years while continuing to learn and meet new people."
More about 4-H
In 4-H, youth build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore their interests. With more than 80 supported projects, 4-H empowers young people to explore their interests. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military.
For more information about the 4-H program, visit go.illinois.edu/About4hGKW.
Local 4-H members and volunteers who would like to share how 4-H has impacted them are invited to share their story online.
EDITOR: Anthony Warmack, communications and marketing coordinator, Illinois Extension.
IMAGE CAPTION: "Clara Chappell shows her steer at the Kankakee County 4-H Fair. Credit: Kayla Dunlavey Photography"
MEDIA ACCESS: For press inquiries, contact Anthony Warmack, warmacka@illinois.edu, 217-244-5813. Want to keep in touch with news from Illinois Extension? Sign up for press updates.
ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
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.