Greene County 4-H member Ella Tasler of Paton was one of six 4-H members from southwest Iowa who recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend IGNITE by 4-H, a four-day interactive summit designed to help teens discover their spark, explore career pathways, and build skills that will prepare them for the future.
The summit featured inspiring speakers, including Emily Calandrelli from Emily’s Wonder Lab, Chris Barton, founder and creator of Shazam, and Jenna Bush Hager, NBC TV host. Youth from Southwest Iowa participated in the STEM track, where workshops focused on STEM education and STEM careers. Activities included drone exploration, DNA decoding, hydraulics and pneumatics, airfoils, force and motion, and using artificial intelligence for good — not evil.
Funding for the trip was made possible through a partnership between Iowa 4-H and Google. This opportunity allowed youth to expand their knowledge of STEM fields and discover new possibilities for future careers.
As part of their participation in IGNITE, these youth are also engaging in a Lead to Change project. Lead to Change is National 4-H Council’s community action planning platform that empowers teens to become agents of change. It teaches youth how to tackle community issues head-on and create projects that spark movements to strengthen and revitalize their communities. The Southwest Iowa group is focusing on promoting healthy homemade snacks on a budget, aiming to help young people to make nutritious choices while being cost-conscious.
“Ignite is truly a step forward in the journey of becoming beyond ready,” said chaperone Mary Taggs, 4-H positive youth development specialist. “It challenges young people to think big, be bold, and develop the resilience and skills they’ll need to thrive in all aspects of life.”
In addition to the summit workshops, the group visited with Sen. Charles Grassley. During this meeting, youth shared how 4-H has made an impact on their lives through building communication skills, providing career exploration opportunities, and fostering connections with other youth across the country. Sen. Grassley shared about his career path and encouraged young people to get involved in their local government and internship opportunities at the state and national levels.
A highlight of the trip was touring HughesNet. Youth took a behind-the-scenes look at the company, a trusted leader in satellite internet. They learned how innovation and expertise drive HughesNet’s mission to bring high-speed satellite connections to consumers and small businesses in rural areas across the country. The visit showcased how HughesNet is bridging the digital divide to empower people and businesses worldwide. The Southwest Iowa youth attending the summit included Aiden Hagar, West Pottawattamie County; Cole Perina, Mills County; Ella Tasler, Greene County; Hunter Kiley, Union County; Nora Martin, Fremont County; and Wyatt Lemonds, Fremont County.
