4 local 4-Hers attended Ignite Summit in Washington, D.C.
Four outstanding 4-H members from Idaho County—Halee and Mikayla Rowland, along with Henry and Lillianne Lustig—recently had the incredible opportunity to represent their community at the National 4-H Ignite Summit in Washington, D.C. The Cottonwood Saddliers and Livestock4-H Club members earned the opportunity to attend this once-in-a-lifetime summit through their exceptional leadership, active participation, and significant accomplishments within the Idaho4-H Program. Their hard work and dedication to their community and personal growth have set them apart as role models among their peers.
This exciting event brought together more than 1,800 youth from across the country for a week of hands-on workshops, team projects, and inspiring discussions focused on leadership, innovation, and community impact. The summit gave young leaders a chance to dive into topics like civic engagement, STEM, and community development while connecting with peers and mentors from all over the U.S.
Halee attended the summit last year and was privileged to be selected again this year, thanks to her strong leadership within Idaho’s state 4-H programs. Henry, Lillianne, and Mikayla were also specially chosen for their hard work, leadership, and active involvement in the Idaho 4-HProgram. Their commitment and passion truly stood out, earning them the chance to be part of this unforgettable experience and proudly represent Idaho County on a national stage.
All four youth have made a difference locally through service projects and leadership roles, and their participation in the summit shows just how much potential our small-town youth have to make a big impact. They’re already putting what they’ve learned into action, too. Inspired by their time and discussion at the summit, the group is making plans to launch a “Lead to Change” community service project in Idaho County. The project will focus on creating positive, lasting impacts in their community by encouraging other youth to step into 4-H and get involved in service efforts.
“We came back with so many new ideas and a lot of energy,” said Halee. “The summit really showed us that young people can make a real difference. Even though our community doesn’t face some of the big challenges others do, we’re excited to take what we’ve learned and use it to spark positive change right here at home.”
For Lillianne, visiting the nation’s capital was a highlight of the experience. “It was amazing to be in Washington, D.C.—we got to see some incredible landmarks and really feel the importance of where we were. It made everything we were learning feel even more meaningful,” she shared. Mikayla said one of her favorite parts was connecting with other 4-H teens from across the country. “It was so cool to meet people from all over who are passionate about the same things. We shared stories, ideas, and really learned from each other,” she said. “It made me feel like we’re part of something much bigger.”
Henry summed it up simply: “It was an amazing experience and a lot of fun. I learned so much, and it was awesome getting to meet new people and explore D.C. with our group.”