Discovery Days youth joined agents, donors and families in recognizing the State Project Award winners at Emerald Circle on June 6.
Each year, 4-H youth of all ages submit Kansas Project Report forms, and one state winner is selected from the senior division (ages 14-18) for each project. In addition to learning new project skills, these youth must also demonstrate growth and strength in leadership, organization, civic engagement, and above all, communication.
“Kansas 4-H is proud to celebrate the top achievers at the Emerald Circle Celebration,” said Dr. Sarah Maass, state 4-H leader. “This event not only highlights the accomplishments of our youth but also reinforces the importance of leadership and community engagement in their growth. As the state’s largest positive youth development organization, we are committed to nurturing these young leaders and empowering them to become the change-makers of tomorrow!”
Kansas 4-H Youth Development celebrates the top achievers in each project area at the Emerald Circle Celebration, hosted by the Kansas 4-H Foundation. After the award ceremony, attendees engaged with Mitch Holthus, the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs, as he shared a message about the four other H’s - humble, hungry, hard and history.
“This summer, I was invited to the Emerald Circle banquet honoring the best in 4-H,” said Tim Mirt, a dedicated supporter of the Kansas 4-H Foundation. “I had a great time being introduced to the youth winners and the 4-H team of leaders. We also enjoyed being entertained by Mitch Holthus, the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs. I even shook his hand and took a picture with him.”
Meeting the youth leaders inspired Mirt to honor his late wife, Linda, through a gift to the Teen Leadership Community at Rock Springs Ranch. Linda was a Family and Consumer Science Extension agent for 40 years, who also focused on 4-H in Sumner County.
“Tim Mirt’s generous philanthropic gift will come full circle when the youth he celebrated at Emerald Circle have the opportunity to experience the newly renovated Teen Leadership Community at Rock Springs Ranch,” said Mindy R. Weixelman, President/CEO of the Kansas 4-H Foundation. “We are both grateful and honored by his investment in 4-H youth and an opportunity to recognize Linda’s legacy of leadership in 4-H. It is my sincere hope that Tim and his family get to one day enjoy seeing their grandchildren enjoy a Stoneybrook cabin that honors their grandma.”