June 16, 2021

News Release

For Immediate Release

EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the media may contact Jeannette Rea Keywood of the Rutgers 4‑H Youth Development Program by phone at 848-932-3597 or by email at nj4h@njaes.rutgers.edu.

New Jersey 4-H Members to Attend Virtual National 4-H Citizenship Conference

Fifteen (15) 4‑H members have been selected to represent New Jersey at the virtual 2021 Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) Conference. This conference, now in its 61st year, will be held on Monday evenings, June 21–July 19. The theme is "Become a Change Agent".

Citizenship Washington Focus is a 4‑H leadership and civic engagement program for high school youth. Delegations from across the country will attend this five-week program. The program is aimed at enriching young people's lives by helping them gain the skills they need to use their voice to solve problems and create change in their communities. Conference speakers, workshops, and discussion groups will provide an opportunity for conference participants to develop an understanding of the importance of civic and social responsibilities as they relate to the development of better citizens and leaders.

The New Jersey 4‑H'ers will join nearly 175 youth and adults from 19 states. The delegates participating in this year's conference are: Nehal Bajaj of Somerset (Somerset County), Dale Brochinsky from Bridgewater (Somerset County), Elijah (Eli) Byrnes of Allentown (Mercer County), Cassandra Dilks of Tabernacle (Burlington County), Mackenzie Esposito of Mays Landing (Atlantic County), Philip Fancher from Andover (Sussex County), Rose Farra from Morganville (Monmouth County), Alexis Hider of Millville (Cumberland County), Tessa McDonald from Bridgewater (Somerset County), Jiya Mody of Martinsville (Somerset County), Eric Vasquez Reyes of Trenton (Mercer County), Liam Ripberger from Lawrenceville (Mercer County), Olive Scaff of Cream Ridge (Monmouth County), Ben Strasser of Warren (Somerset County), and Olivia Walder of Park Ridge (Bergen County).

"The conference will provide opportunities for young people to identify individual citizenship rights and responsibilities; develop and strengthen communication, leadership, and citizenship skills; and to inspire them to become active, responsible citizens and leaders in their communities" says Jeannette Rea Keywood, 4‑H Agent, Department of 4‑H Youth Development.

The 4‑H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension, 4‑H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K–13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law. For more information about the New Jersey 4‑H Program visit the 4‑H website at nj4h.rutgers.edu.

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Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an qual opportunity program provider and employer.