When I was seven or eight, a new student transferred to my school from a neighboring county. He was a little dorky and bad at math, but so was I. I was happy to welcome him into my life with open arms. I remember the start of our friendship in that third grade classroom all too well. He’s still my best friend now, 12 years later. The point of the story is, he obnoxiously talked about this club that his grandma was the leader of and how much fun it was. Being as close as we were, he had convinced me to join. So every third Tuesday night from third grade until seventh, my mom made the 30 minute drive out to Big Isaac on the outskirts of Doddridge County to take me to my favorite 4-H club to date.

When I think of my start in this program, I think of dorky Preston and his family in that church out at Big Isaac where it all started for me. At the age of nine, I highly doubt my mom knew how big of a life-changing decision it was for her to agree to take me 30 minutes along country roads to spend roughly an hour and drive back home, almost always ending in me being carsick. But I’m thankful she did.

I owe 4-H everything. The person I am, the goals I have, the life choices I’ve made—I wouldn’t have done it without the influence of 4-H in my life. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, too. There’s something different about West Virginia 4-H that hits your heart and dyes it green and white for the rest of your life.

4-H taught me to be independent.

Some may think that, for an eight year old, spending a week away from your family with no form of communication is too much, but to me it was essential to my mental development. I know I did get homesick, and I was really shy so I didn’t really talk to anyone, but that one week taught me how to make friends. Those friends are still my closest friends to date. There’s something different about 4-H; everyone loves everyone. This especially applies at state camp.

While my first adventure to Alpha II made me feel like a pebble on the bottom of the ocean, I did make friends in my grow group and in general that I still love to talk to now. Knowing that Alpha II was too big for me, I went to OMC. It was perfect. There was never a point that I wasn’t able to turn around and see a familiar face. This experience taught me how to be social and not suffer from the social anxiety that so often kept me from having a good time and making friends, the same anxiety that caused me to stay in my cottage at Alpha II listening to music with every free opportunity I got. Now that I’ve overcome this social anxiety (with the help of 4-H), college is a breeze and I love it.

4-H taught me the meaning of community.

I only wish that my friends had the same 4-H upbringing that I had. It started with adopt-a-highway when I was only nine and led to volunteering to help with Christmas dinners at the food pantry and volunteering to serve at banquets for a cause. I didn’t feel complete unless I was giving my time to help the people in my community. Never did I dread those days because I did them with my 4-H family. Now as a sophomore in college, I long for the days where I have organized opportunities to work with my 4-H family somewhere in the community.

4-H taught me the meaning of “go hard or go home.”

You always give 110 percent. By the end of camp I would without a doubt be voiceless, burnt to a crisp, and in need of 48 hours of sleep. None of that ever bothered me, though. Coming home with the basket that I weaved myself, a pocketful of new friendships, memories to share with my family, and a smile on my face were the only things that ever mattered. Sometimes I would sleep that entire weekend while my mom washed my clothes and then be back at it again on Sunday. That was the meaning of summer. Spending that one week with the same group of people that you may only see once a year, building relationships, and making memories is pure happiness.

I carry these lessons with me day to day; they’ve become part of who I am. They set me on the path that I am on today. With my accounting major, the biggest thing I want to do is be able to give back to the program who gave me everything. I have high aspirations, I know, but I’m determined. Only 68 more days until county camp, and I’m so excited for a fresh, fun-filled summer full of How-Hows and catchy songs that I will never be able to get out of my head.