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Nebraska 4-H members from across the state will showcase their designs during Omaha Fashion Week runway showcase. Omaha Fashion Week is highlighting themes of reckless self-expression during their Spring 2024 AUDACIOUS Season. As they focus on fashion-for-good they are honoring the audacity it takes to use our voices to create meaningful change in our communities.

Amongst the seven groups that will be presenting their designs on the runway during student night, Nebraska 4-H youth will be modeling their designs on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, during the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Student Night at 8:00 pm.

Youth across the state were invited to apply with the design they have sewn for 4-H in 2023. Thirty-two 4-Her’s were chosen from 17 counties in Nebraska. They have been practicing their walk for the runway, will be getting their hair and makeup ready by the SOHO hair academy, and will have family and friends in attendance!

Participating youth are:

• Emily Barfknecht – Adams County

• Ayvrie Waldron – Box Butte County

• Danica Romshek – Butler County

• Macie Koch – Cedar County

• Kate Cox – Cherry County

• Morgan Schommer – Dawes County

• Karla Herrarte – Dawson County

• Maya Soria – Dawson County

• Melissa Montano – Dawson County

• Sydni Ringenberg – Dawson County

• Ava Caldwell – Douglas-Sarpy County

• Coralee Schurr – Frontier County

• Amelia Dieckman – Gage County

• Audrey Diekman – Gage County

• Cora Novacek – Gage County

• Alison Schimmer – Hall County

• Carmin Gramke – Kearney County

• Alexa Smith – Lancaster County 

• Clara Johnson – Lancaster County

• Dayton Jons – Lancaster County

• Josie Johnson – Lancaster County

• Lauren Johnson – Lancaster County

• Piper Pillard – Lancaster County

• Tenley Bauman – Lancaster County

• Vanessa Peterson – Lancaster County

• Josie Williams – Nance County

• Delaney Cheloha – Platte County

• Karis Kersting – Platte County

• Maura Tichota – Saunders County

• Abigail Nelson – Sheridan County

• Emily Nelson – Sheridan County

• Zayling Ott – Washington County

Doors open at 6:00 pm. To purchase tickets, visit https://omahafashionweek.ticketleap.com/ofw-spring-2024-student-night/.

Thirteen Nebraska 4-H members traveled to the 102nd National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, GA, held November 24-28, 2023. This year’s conference theme — “Unforgettable Past, Innovative Future” — focused on leadership, citizenship, global awareness, and inclusion.

National 4-H Congress is the premier leadership event for 4-H members between the ages of 15 and 19 years of age. Nebraska delegates are selected for the trip to National 4-H Congress by submitting an Achievement Application for state competition.

Nebraska 4-H members joined youth from across the nation which brought together over 800 young people from across the country. Youth participated in service-learning projects; international education, including an international night; and a variety of workshops to expand their skills, while being inspired to make an impact on their club, community, and country.

"My favorite part was the community service that we did -- there were a bunch of community service projects that everyone at the conference did," shared Kaylee Powell, a 4-H participant in Hall County. "I was able to go with a bunch of other 4-H'ers, and also another Nebraska 4-H'er, and we went into a local elementary school and taught 4th grade math. So that was cool to bring skills that we had, here from Nebraska, and take it to students there."

The group, made up of high school students and a few college freshmen, attended numerous educational workshops, cultural events, and completed service-learning projects while in Atlanta. Attendees heard nationally known speakers, including Amberly Snyder, motivational speaker and barrel racer; Dan Clark, New York Times Best Selling Author; Chris Boleman, CEO & President of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; and Dr. Dionne Toombs, Associate Director for Programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture; among others.

"At 4-H Congress, I learned a lot about community and leadership skills. We did a lot of workshops together -- a lot of team building and practicing communication skills," said Austin Kamm, a 4-H participant in Cuming County.

Highlights of the five-day trip included a tour of Atlanta, visits to the Atlanta History Center, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coke, the College Football Hall of Fame, and other attractions. Youth were accompanied by Nebraska 4-H Extension Educator, Dawn Lindsley, and Martin Wiese, a 4-H volunteer from Dodge County.

For more information National 4-H Congress, please visit 4h.unl.edu/congress.

With the goal of re-invigorating rural communities following the pandemic, STEM CARES addressed the needs of communities across the state, provided paid jobs and professional development for teens, and delivered high-quality learning experiences to children. STEM CARES engaged young people across 21 counites through after-school programs, day care centers, summer school programs, 4-H clubs, and libraries. The program was provided at no cost to parents or program providers through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic (CARES) Act funding.

STEM CARES implemented a multitiered model of education that engaged young people of all ages as learners, instructors, and leaders.

In seven seasons of programming, STEM CARES engaged nearly 1,500 children in high-quality, hands-on science, technology, engineering and math experiences. 92% of children said they learned new things about science, and 81% said they learned new things about engineering. STEM CARES offered four curriculum options consisting of six lessons each. Curriculum options included Garden Engineering, The Power of the Wind, Mechanical Engineering, and Slime Engineers. The program providers selected the curriculum topic based on their community's needs.

Teens, hired as instructors, facilitated all the programming. Before engaging with learners, teens participated in approximately six hours of training to grow their skills working with elementary students in informal settings. Teens developed a greater sense of community and explored potential careers. They gained real-world experience in child development, child care, or STEM-related careers, and many expressed an interest in teaching or working with youth as a significant part of their future career goals.

“Having this teaching experience and time working with youth were very beneficial to me as I am pursuing a degree to be an art teacher,” shared a program instructor from Hamilton County.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln undergraduate students served as mentors to the teen facilitators. As instructional leaders, the college students provided ongoing support, guidance, and reflection opportunities for the teens. Instructional leaders also participated in training and received continued support from Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development faculty. The undergraduate students developed their skills around facilitation, STEM-related content, and communications.

"My instructional leaders were very helpful in many ways, but I think the most helpful thing they provided for my learning was the way they taught," shared one teen instructor. "They made sure we understood the lessons they were teaching us, and if we didn't, they would explain it in a way that could help us understand it."

STEM CARES was developed by Nebraska 4-H in collaboration with Beyond School Bells. For more information, visit 4h.unl.edu/stem-cares.

Outside the York County Fairgrounds 4-H Building stands a historical marker titled “Nebraska 4-H Clubs Began in York County.” Tuesday evening, 15 4-H volunteer club and project leaders walked past this marker. They gathered, not for a 4-H Club meeting but rather for the Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Road Show.

The evening started with a session titled “The Magic of 4-H.” It introduced volunteers to the “4-H Thriving Model.” It laid the groundwork for the following sessions. Tanya Crawford, Nebraska Extension educator, explained how 4-H helps youth thrive by providing a place for them to belong, matter and explore their personal spark.

Igniting sparks through 4-H projects

To help youth discover their spark, volunteers were introduced to various entry-level projects and bite-sized activities that can lead to fair exhibits.

During the environmental education session, Molly Brandt, Nebraska Extension educator, led volunteers in making molds of animal tracks. Volunteers saw firsthand how this activity could be conducted in a club setting. Brandt also shared ideas for forestry projects, including club projects, community service activities and fair exhibits.

Many young people come to 4-H to explore a spark for animals. The poultry and rabbit projects were showcased as ideal entry-level animal projects. Brandt shared how she found her spark through the 4-H rabbit project. Her passion for rabbits came through as she covered basic care, breeds and fair classes.

“Chickens are great for kids,” Rachelle Staehr, York FFA adviser, said. She explained that bantams and docile breeds, like Cochin, are easy to handle. With a bantam Cochin hen in hand, Staehr gave a poultry showmanship demonstration. She shared tips for preparing, handling and presenting poultry during showmanship.

Many young people find their spark through creativity. Jill Goedeken, Nebraska Extension educator, led volunteers in an activity they can use to teach kids about color schemes. Goedeken described how this activity can be used in visual arts, home environment and consumer management projects.

Fostering belonging through club projects

Club projects bring youth together and foster a sense of belonging. Throughout the evening, Goedeken reminded volunteers of the opportunities for club or group projects. During the final session, volunteers learned how to guide clubs in selecting those projects. They practiced using basic parliamentary procedures in the “Let’s Make Trail Mix” activity.

Strengthening local support networks

The face-to-face and interactive nature of the event fostered an engaging environment. The room was often filled with laughter, conversational chatter, idea sharing, and informal discussions throughout the evening. During the parliamentary procedure activity, the room erupted in laughter when a motion was made to add an entire bag of M&M’s.

The event strengthened relationships between volunteers and Nebraska Extension staff. Some local staff even attended as participants. Volunteers represented nearly every experience level and background. One individual was in their second year of volunteering, and another had 60+ years of experience.

The Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Road Show is a training and development opportunity offered each fall at various locations across the state. To learn more, visit 4h.unl.edu/volunteer-road-show.