Leadership

Krish Nangia DuPage County

4-H Teen Science Ambassadors, Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team, Illinois 4-H in Space Mission Command Team

As a seventh year 4-H member, Krish has experienced 4-H at all levels, with many county, state, and national roles. As part of the 4-H Ag Innovators Experience State Leadership Team, he also has facilitated STEM/ agriculture-related workshops to youth throughout Illinois, as well as in Brazil and Puerto Rico. Krish is representing Illinois 4-H in the development of a space experiment to be sent to the International Space Station in March 2023 from the Kennedy Space Center, as well as running his own nationwide high school level digital agriculture workshop program as a Digital Agriculture Intern for the University of Illinois Center for Digital Agriculture and State 4-H office.

Krish is a freshman at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering. He hopes to use his degree to pioneer advances in technology tailored to the needs of individuals and society.

What does 4-H mean to you?

To me, 4-H is about helping youth to convert a fantasy into a reality. To be clear, I never saw myself involved in this realm when I first joined 4-H in 2015, let alone the local, statewide, and national opportunities I was fortunate to be part of. 4-H has been involved in my growth that got me here, without a doubt. Because of 4-H, I have grown. I have become a better leader and mentor. I have become a better public speaker. I have become a better inventor. I have become a better problem-solver. And most of all, I have become a better human being.

Ross Vancil Henderson County

Stronghurst Hustlers Illinois 4-H State Youth Leadership Team

Ross serves on the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team, where he has helped at the Junior Leadership Conference, the Illinois State Fair, and Speaking for Illinois 4-H. He attended National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia in 2021. Locally. Ross served as club president and was an active member of his county federation. At the state level, he serves as the 4-H representative on the Youth Education in Agriculture Committee.

Ross is completing his freshman year at Illinois State University where he is majoring in legal studies and political science. His long term goal is to attend law school.

What does 4-H mean to you?

4-H has given me the opportunity to explore outside my comfort zone and improve upon my leadership skills. 4-H allows me to help others with these skills.

Libby Larkin Livingston County

Pontiac Power Rockets Livingston County Federation Livingston County Teen Teachers Livingston County Ag Innovators

Libby is passionate about food advocacy and fighting food insecurity. She has hosted 6 food packaging events, raised over $30,000, recruited 450 volunteers, and distributed 120,000 meals to kids and families struggling with food insecurity. Libby is also very active in her local 4-H program, having held officer positions in her club and county Federation. Outside of 4-H, she is active in FFA, National Honor Society, and Operation Snowball. Libby served on the Illinois 4-H Food Advocacy Team for 2 years and led breakout groups during the last 2 Food Action Summits. She participates in Speak for Illinois, and serves as a 4-H youth representative.

Libby will be attending Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, IA, to study Agribusiness and compete on the Women’s Golf Team. She plans to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness with a minor in Precision Ag Technology.

What does 4-H mean to you?

To me, opportunity is the definition of 4-H. The opportunity to learn, grow, work hard, have fun, try new things, meet new friends, work with others, volunteer, and lead. I have learned and expanded my public speaking skills, leadership skills, communication skills, and above all, service to others.

Emma plans to become a counselor.

What does 4-H mean to you?

4-H has giving me a place to grow and succeed. It has helped me to become a better leader and in doing so, learn the real meaning of community.

Teen Teacher, Illinois State Youth Leadership Team, Unit 18 Youth Leadership Team, Montgomery County Leadership Team

Emma helps run the Macoupin/Montgomery Counties food backpack program. They provide food for kids over the weekend, which Emma finds to be an amazing opportunity. Emma is a part of her state, unit, and county level youth leadership teams. She has also had the opportunity to go to National 4-H Congress.

Willing Workers Illinois State 4-H Livestock Ambassador Team

Throughout her years in 4-H, Emma has had a very diverse leadship experience. She has held every officer role in her local 4-H club, served on the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team, the Illinois State 4-H Livestock Ambassador Team, the 4-H Foundation Board, her county 4-H Foundation Board and her county’s Federation. Emma has also helped facilitate workshops at the Junior Leadership Conference and the Youth Livestock Conference.

Emma is current studying animal science on a pre-vet track at Iowa State University.

What does 4-H mean to you?

4-H is an opportunity to explore your interests, grow your skillsets, and make life-long friendships.