By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Two Wood County 4-H members are part of a sounding board for the Ohio 4-H program.
As members of the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council, Drew Thomas and Audrey Nester are lending their voices to the planning, implementation and evaluation of the state’s 4-H programming. The two teens are students at Bowling Green High School and leaders in their local 4-H clubs.
Thomas is a nine-year member of Livestock Unlimited, and Nester has been a part of Wood County 4-H for 12 years—nine years in the Colorful Clovers and three in Clover Achievers, including serving as club president.
Their 4-H involvement and leadership skills earned them a spot on the state teen leadership council.
Thomas, who is the 16-year-old son of Holliday and Andrew Thomas, has an impressive list of involvements and achievements in 4-H. He has been a member of the state council since September 2021. He has been active as a member and leader in the county 4-H program including serving as a counselor for 4-H camp and Midnight Madness, and as a member of the Junior Fair Board, Junior Leadership Board and the Wood County 4-H Committee.
He has raised and shown livestock throughout his 4-H years to date, but his favorite 4-H projects have been his grilling projects. “They are so informative and taught me how to truly become a good griller and how to use safety precautions while grilling,” he said.
Thomas took two of his grilling projects to the state fair, as well as Science Fun with Dairy Foods, Science Fun with Kitchen Chemistry, Club Leadership 1 and 2, and Pantry Panic.
Being a member of the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council has provided Thomas with many learning and leadership opportunities. “Being able to grow as a leader, not just at my county level, but to be able to grow at a state level, is an amazing experience,” he said.
He also attended Washington Leadership Focus and was the Wood County and Ohio Achievement Winner in Leadership for which he won a trip to the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta in November 2022.
“The trip was amazing. We attended workshops, sessions and toured the city. I learned so many new leadership qualities and gained so many new friends and became closer with some old friends,” Thomas said.
“Being in 4-H has given me the responsibility, time management and communication skills that I can use in life after high school,” he added.
Nester was motivated to apply to the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council thanks to Thomas’s encouragement. They both are 4-H camp counselors, members of the Junior Fair Board, and Junior Leadership Board, and instructors for CarTeens, a program where 4-H teen leaders teach traffic education safety programs to first-time teen traffic offenders. In addition to educating about safety programs, they also work to build offenders’ self-esteem and interpersonal skills.
“Over the past year I had heard plenty of amazing things about the council from Drew Thomas, so last summer I made the decision to apply to be a committee member.” She applied for and was selected for the council in September 2022.
“The most rewarding part of being on the teen leadership council is definitely being able to meet people with similar interests as me. The council is filled with amazing people who are all dedicated to the 4-H program, so it’s a very enjoyable environment to be able to work and grow together in,” she said.
Nester is the 17-year-old daughter of James and Elizabeth Nester. She has been a delegate to both Washington Leadership Focus and Washington Citizenship Focus and was selected to be on the Honor Court during the 2022 Wood County Fair.
This past year, she received the Wood County Career Achievement Award for Clothing, which is given to one 4-H member each year who has dedicated their time and effort to clothing projects over the years.
She has taken many clothing projects to the Ohio State Fair, including “Loungewear,” “Active Wear” and capri pants, which she made for her first beginner-level sewing project, “Sew Fun.”
She also competed at the state fair in “Science Fun with Electricity” and “Robotics 1.” The same year she competed with “Robotics 1” and “Loungewear” at the state fair, she presented a partner demonstration on “Troubleshooting a Robot” and received a coveted Clock Trophy.
While Nester has thoroughly enjoyed the clothing projects over the years, the STEM projects have been important to her. “I have learned so much from them that I never would have had the chance to learn otherwise,” she said.
Outside of 4-H, Nester is a member of the St. Mark’s Youth Group, an officer and active member of the Bowling Green High School Drama Club, a member of the Bowling Green High School Improv Troupe, vice president of the Bowling Green High School Orchestra, secretary for the Class of 2023 and a member of the Bowling Green High School Student Activities Board.
“Drew and Audrey present a leadership role to their peers and younger members like none other. They are some of the first teens to volunteer for any 4-H event, working behind the scenes making everyone feel a part of the 4-H team,” said Jennifer Morlock, Wood County Extension Program Assistant for 4-H Youth Development.
“They are both valuable assets to their community clubs, volunteering support to their club advisors at meetings. Because of their drive and determination, the Wood County 4-H teen leadership is on a path of expanding and growing. The 4-H staff is excited to see the potential as they lead the way sharing opportunities for 4-H’ers on a local, state, and national level,” Morlock said.
For young 4-H members who aspire to get the most out of their 4-H experience, Thomas and Nester have some sage advice.
“Ask adults and your county 4-H educators about as many opportunities as you can.,” Thomas said. “The opportunities 4-H has can really change your life forever, like National 4-H Congress has done for me.”
Nester’s advice is to get involved. “I was a very shy child when I entered the 4-H program, and through the opportunities and experiences that it has provided me, I have become who I am today.
“There are so many different ways to get involved. Sign up for things that interest you; they will provide you with different opportunities and skill sets, and help you meet some amazing people along the way. Some of my best friends have come from people I met through the 4-H program,” Nester said.
Currently 1,000 youth are enrolled in the 2023 Wood County 4-H program. The registration deadline is March 15.
For more information or to register, visit wood.osu.edu and click on 4-H Youth Development or call the Extension Office at 419-354-9050.
