4-H Citizenship Club pledges service, takes part in trip to Washington, D.C.


Allamakee County 4-H members attending the Citizenship trip to Washington, D.C. included: Left to right - Front row: Ainsley Lydon, Ashley Liddiard, Carly Palmer, Maddie Ellingson, Diana Davison, Meridian Snitker, Abby Wiemerslage. Second row: Daniel Gruman, Nathan Liddiard, Sean Liddiard, Soraya Reyes. Third row: Derrick Wiemerslage, chaperons McKayla Stock, RN and Holly Palmer, Logan Kucera, Faith Palmer. Fourth row: Landon Reinhardt, Denzel Decker, Robbie Drew, chaperons Shelly Lydon, John Ellingson. Back row: Kaeden Snitker, Zach Davison, chaperons Fred Reinhardt, Cindy Shogren, Bernie Gruman, Joyce Kucera, Brad Decker, County Youth Coordinator Morgan Bjerke, Teresa Wiemerslage. Not pictured is chaperon Regional Youth Coordinator Lynette Houser. Submitted photo.

Allamakee County 4-H members Diana Davison and Sean Liddiard (left to right at left center in above photo) lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery during the 4-H Citizenship Trip to Washington, D.C. in late March into early April. Looking on in the photo foreground at right are, left to right, Gavin Sims and Maria Hendrickson representing Winneshiek County 4-H. Submitted photo.

Each time they recite the 4-H pledge, 4-H members promise to use their "hands to larger service." Now, Iowa 4-H members are taking that pledge to a new level as they use citizenship to improve the communities in which they live.

Citizenship Regional Focus is a 4-H citizenship program for middle school and high school youth. A selection of 4-H delegates from Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties committed and participated in a two-year program, as well as attended a seven-day trip to Springfield, IL, Gettysburg, PA and Washington, D.C. during the final week of March into early April. The program is aimed at enriching young people’s lives by expanding their appreciation and respect for themselves and others in the world. They learn and practice skills that will make them better citizens and more successful individuals.

During the recent week of travel, program participants had the opportunity to visit national landmarks including the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Tomb, Gettysburg Visitor Center and Military Fields, the U.S. Capitol, the Ronald Reagan International Trade Building, the Peterson House, Ford’s Theatre, the Holocaust Museum, National Archives, Union Station, Pentagon 911 Memorial, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington D.C. Presidential and War Monuments and Memorials, as well as Smithsonian Museums.

To enhance their citizenship efforts, the group partnered with local Food Banks to provide non-perishable foods through county drives that collected over 400 pounds over the holiday season. Communication and arts were also experienced with stops at Ford’s Theatre, the African American Museum of Culture and History, and a Spirit Cruise on the Potomac River to Mount Vernon.

Leadership was showcased with four 4-H delegates working with the United States Marines to participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery April 1. Representing Allamakee County 4-H were Faith Palmer and Sean Liddiard while Gavin Sims and Maria Hendrickson represented Winneshiek County 4-H. The four youth participated in an orientation with a U.S. Marine and then presented a wreath that was publicly displayed.

Caring adults to support youth delegates are needed and valued for this seven-day experience. A total of 15 adult chaperones, two ISU Extension & Outreach Staff, a Registered Nurse and an Iowa State Patrol officer made up the caring adults to support youth each day.

For more information on joining 4-H contact the Allamakee County Extension Office at 563-568-6345 or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/allamakee.