ETHAN & MORGAN GABEL DISCOVER THEIR SPARK THROUGH PROGRAMMING
Extension Educator Tracy Anderson recently helped chaperone a group of Nebraska 4‑H’ers attending the Ignite by 4‑H conference in Washington, D.C. Pictured are Morgan and Ethan Gabel, two Lancaster County 4‑H’ers who were part of the group.
The four-day event offered an exciting opportunity for teens to:
• Engage in high-impact programming, including immersive workshops, hands-on experiences, and sessions with renowned speakers and industry leaders.
• Explore career pathways and develop essential work readiness skills.
• Experience the rich history and culture of Washington, D.C. through special activities and tours.
Participants discovered their spark in one of four programming tracks: Healthy Living, STEM, AgriScience and Community Accelerators. Ethan participated in the STEM track while Morgan was in the Healthy Living track.
Morgan said, “Attending Ignite was truly a life-altering experience. It was so fun connecting with new people from around the country, learning valuable skills and uncovering new passions! My Healthy Living track was awesome and all the speakers were inspiring. They shared their stories and wisdom in such an engaging way! I want to especially thank our 4‑H chaperones and the other Nebraska youth for making Ignite the best it could have been! I am so grateful for this opportunity and everything I gained from it!”
YAZIDI TEENS FIND LEADERSHIP GROWTH THROUGH SOCCER FOR SUCCESS
A group of 14 Lancaster County teens — Yazidi refugees who fled genocide and found new beginnings in Nebraska — recently participated in the Ignite by 4‑H national conference held in Washington, D.C. New this year was a soccer subtrack as part of the Healthy Living track. The local youth were part of the Soccer for Success program, a national U.S. Soccer Foundation initiative brought to Lincoln by a 4‑H Healthy Habits grant. Two alumni of the local program, Ivan Haskan and Aiman Zandinan, acted as coach mentors and helped chaperone the group of teens.
In addition to competing in the first National 4‑H Soccer Cup at the University of the District of Columbia, the teens developed leadership skills by attending workshops such as Field Management & Teamwork and Public Speaking. The group also toured monuments, museums and other significant sites in D.C.
Captain and goalkeeper Saeed Al-Eiso said, “It was such a meaningful experience for me, not only did I get to explore more of the United States, but I also had the chance to meet and connect with people from all over the world. This trip opened my eyes to new perspectives and it’s something I will always cherish, remember and be grateful for!”
The Yazidi teens now serve as volunteer mentors for younger participants in the Soccer for Success program, which is coordinated locally by the Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County’s Nutrition Education Program.