LIMA — A Lima native’s passion for public speaking has led her to this year’s National 4-H Congress for the second time in three years.
Priscilla Painter, an 11-year member of Allen County’s K-9 and Sharpshooters 4-H clubs, is just one of 28 4-H’ers from Ohio to attend this year’s congress, which runs from Nov. 27 through Dec. 1 in Atlanta.
She attended the congress two years ago as a reward for winning a public speaking competition at the Ohio State Fair, and is back again this year after winning the same competition.
The purpose of the National 4-H Congress is to reward each delegates’ achievements, provide a forum for interaction and exchange of ideas among youth and adults, and encourage leaders of business, government, education and public affairs to share in the development of youth. More than 1,000 youth from across the country are expected to attend this year’s event.
Painter recalls her first experience at the congress as educational and exciting, and hopes this year will be no different.
“It’s incredible meeting all the different people from my state, from all over the country, and seeing the different dynamics every 4-H’er brings,” Painter said. “It’s an amazing experience.”
She said she hopes to bring her own expertise to the event — a skill she learned through her many years in 4-H.
“I love public speaking,” she said, “so the fact that I was chosen to attend this conference in my area of expertise — I just want to show everyone what I can bring as a 4-H’er.”
Painter said she takes advantage of every opportunity to participate in a public speaking event, and is continuing to work on her skills as a communications major at Verity College in Indianapolis.
At age 19, Painter is no longer a member of 4-H, but she hopes attending this year’s congress will aid in her transition to becoming a 4-H adviser.
“I really want to get new ideas while I’m at this conference, things I can bring back to my county,” she said. “Everyone runs their 4-H programs differently, and not one is perfect, but you can get so many different elements from each individual club.
“I’m really hoping to learn new skills and new information so I can make my county’s 4-H clubs the best they can be.”
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