Pennsylvania 4-H has inducted a new team of State Project Ambassadors (SPAs), and one Berks County teen is among those selected to bring youth perspectives into the statewide program.
The group officially began its one-year term on Oct. 18 during the organization’s State Leadership Conference, Junior, hosted by Penn State Extension. The ambassador program allows young people to share their insights as statewide 4-H staff develop events, curricula, and programming.
Representing Berks County this year is Maggie Haan, who was selected as a Leadership and Civic Engagement Ambassador. Haan participates in dog club and public speaking activities through 4-H. She said she hopes to inspire others by showing them how to use their voices.
“I want people to learn how to share their voices with the world,” Haan said.
According to 4-H education specialist Jeanette Stackhouse, the SPA program emphasizes three key areas: youth voice, leadership growth, and nurturing participants’ passions. “As an ambassador of a particular project area, they likely have a great passion for what they are learning with ambitions of going into a related career,” Stackhouse said.
Each ambassador works with a mentor in their project area and may also be introduced to industry or networking opportunities. A maximum of four ambassadors are selected per project area, and students may reapply to continue serving in future years.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is the youth development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, helping young people gain knowledge and skills to become capable, caring, and contributing citizens.
For more information about local programs, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website at extension.psu.edu/programs/4-H.
