CLINTON, Ill. – The National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals recognized local University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H educator Jamie Boas held in November during its national conference in Memphis. The conference, a 75-year tradition, strengthens programming efforts and recognizes state and national 4-H youth development professionals.

Jamie Boas, 4-H youth development educator for DeWitt and Piatt counties, received the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her contributions to the 4-H Youth Development profession and for having served more than seven years in Extension 4-H Youth Development programs

Boas has championed the teen teacher program in DeWitt and Piatt counties. She has recruited, trained, and mentored over 200 4-H teen teachers. The teen teacher program allows older 4-H members to teach younger youth lessons in agriculture, nutrition, cooking, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). Boas also brought the 4-H Food Challenge to Illinois, where it is broadly used across the state.

WRITER: Maria Lightner, Marketing and Communications, University of Illinois Extension

ABOUT 4-H: Illinois 4-H empowers and prepares Illinois youth for success. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois, affecting the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning clubs, groups, and short-term programming

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