Washington, D.C. – Twenty-six teen leaders from across Illinois were chosen to represent Illinois 4-H at the Ignite by 4-H Summit, taking place March 13-17 in Washington, D.C.
The Ignite by 4-H Summit is a four-day experience designed for high school-aged teens to connect, build leadership skills, and explore diverse topics in STEM, agriscience, healthy living, career readiness, and emotional well-being. This national event provides participants with opportunities to engage in hands-on learning, hear from industry leaders, and develop action plans to create positive change in their communities.
“Ignite can be a transformative experience for young leaders,” said Mark Becker, University of Illinois 4-H youth development educator. “It’s about more than just learning—it’s about getting inspired, expanding perspectives, and building the confidence to create meaningful change.”
Throughout the summit, youth participated in engaging panels, interactive workshop sessions, and inspiring keynote presentations from national experts. They also had the opportunity to network with 4-H peers from across the country, forming valuable connections that will last a lifetime.
“Ignite was a great experience because it was one of my first times being independent and not being able to ask my parents if I needed something,” says youth delegate Emma Steiger of Rock Island County. “So this was a great experience to realize that I am just fine by myself and can have a lot of fun trying new things and meeting new people.”
In addition to leadership development, participants explored exciting career paths and created actionable plans to bring real change to their communities. The high-impact programming at Ignite empowered them with tools and inspiration to take their 4-H experiences to the next level.
A total of 1,300 teens from across the U.S. were selected for this premier event, including the Illinois delegation: Angel Aguirre Ramirez, Cook County; Ayden Oscar Rios, Cook County; Elliott Kato, Champaign County; Kareemah Muhammid-Watson, St. Clair County; Tarell Flowers, St. Clair County; Alyssa Benson, St. Clair County; Cara Carillon, Clinton County; Carmen Jackson, Cook County; Carter Joiner, Macoupin County; Emma Steiger, Rock Island County; Haley Ramirez, Cook County; Izzy Barnas, Kankakee County; Kaden Ambers, Cook County; Kylie Clayton, Scott County; Lailah Smith, Cook County; McKayla Harms, Woodford County; Alex Paul, Wayne County; Armani Eaton, Vermillion County; Destiny Baugh, Vermillion County; Shaun Hughes, Vermillion County; Evelyn Jenkins, McLean County; Lilah Bonny, Shelby County; Therese Krysciak, Kendall County; Ashmit Gambhir, Kane County; Dharmik Madupathi, Kane County; and Joshua George, Kane County.
“Ignite is a great place for students to network with the next generation of leaders,” said Becker. “These young people return home with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to make an impact in their communities and beyond.”
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities, two times more likely to make healthier choices, two times more likely to be civically active, and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
For Further Information Contact:
News Writer: Carissa Nelson, 4-H Media Communications Manager, University of Illinois Extension, carissa7@illinois.edu
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 700 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 six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.