4-H isn’t just extracurricular activity— it is a movement

I am proud to be an 11th grade 4-H member from Pierce County. Today, I want to share how 4-H has not only shaped who I am—but helped me find who I was meant to be.

When I was younger, my life was filled with pain and uncertainty. I experienced abuse, neglect and deep loneliness at a very young age. For a long time, I didn’t believe that I belonged anywhere or that my story could ever have a purpose.

But when I joined 4-H in sixth grade, everything began to change. For the first time, I found an outlet—a place where I could be myself, feel accepted, and begin to heal. 4-H gave me something I had been missing: a sense of belonging, confidence and family.