• By Monique Brady
• Posted Friday, June 26, 2020

North Carolina A&T State University 4-H First Generation Leaders in Training

A small group of youth leaders from Forsyth County applied and were accepted to attend the North Carolina A&T State University First Generation Leader in Training Residential Program which was held virtually this year. The First Generation Leaders in Training (FirstGen LIT) was held on June 15-18, 2020. Aileen Santos, Camille McEachern, Jisel Reyes, and Catherine Rivera were selected to attend the program and represent their 4-H Club Quality Education Academy 4-H Pharaohs. Youth Leaders participated in interactive workshops related to health, communication, civic engagement, STEM, and Agriculture. The various workshops allowed youth to learn more about the North Carolina A & T Cooperative Extension program and their influence in Agriculture.

Riveria shared, “I have gained more knowledge of agriculture and how it impacts our daily lives. I have gained more confidence in becoming a great leader and learned not to be such a procrastinator. Additionally, I am willing to branch out to participate in different activities that will benefit me in the future. A personal goal from participating in FirstGen LIT is to be more open-minded about careers and activities that I have not considered.”

North Carolina A&T State University First Generation Leaders in Training is an opportunity for youth to participate in a program that allows them to experience a college campus, gain mentorship, access to Agriculture career and degree exploration; and more. 4-H Youth Programs and camps encourage young people to “learn by doing,” and become active citizens within their communities. NC State Extension and the Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University coordinates 4-H programs statewide. NC State Extension is the local and statewide outreach provider of North Carolina’s preeminent research enterprise – NC State University. NC State Extension translates research-based knowledge in the areas of agriculture, food and nutrition, and 4-H youth development into everyday solutions that create economic, intellectual, and societal prosperity for North Carolina.

NC State University is committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status.