Pictured are (left to right) Lesley Porterfield, Nyah Hartwell, and Lauren Butz, Chesapeake Beach; Becky Jones, Sunderland; and Katarina Guethlein, St. Leonard.
– Photo by Catherine Porterfield, Chesapeake Beach
Prince Frederick, MD – During the week of Jan. 16, five 4-H members from Calvert County had the opportunity to join over 500 young people from across the country to learn about political processes in the vibrant, living classroom of the Nation’s Capital as part of Citizenship Washington Focus – Presidential Inauguration (CWF-PI). Citizenship Washington Focus is an intensive 4-H civic engagement program for high-school youth held at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase. Selected to attend this prestigious program were Lauren Butz, Nyah Hartwell, and Lesley Porterfield, Chesapeake Beach; Becky Jones, Sunderland; and Katarina Guethlein, St. Leonard. All of these Calvert County 4-Hers serve on the Maryland 4-H State Council, a statewide youth leadership organization. Jones is the current State Council President, and Porterfield serves as Vice President for Public Relations.
The CWF-PI is a 4-H citizenship program for youth ages 14-19 aimed at enriching young people’s lives by broadening their knowledge and understanding of the Executive Branch of Government as well as developing their role in citizenship through service, civic education, and engagement. The Calvert County 4-Hers, alongside their peers, learned the meaning and importance of the Democratic process; explored the history of the Presidency, the election process, and the role of the press; discovered the intricacies of the Executive Branch of Government; and explored careers in politics.
“CWF-PI not only gave me a better understanding of our government, it allowed me to witness history in the making,” said Jones. Porterfield added: “It was inspiring to hear from national media professionals and people who had worked in the White House and around the world, and to learn how they got their start in government service.”
During the week, conference delegates also had the opportunity to visit memorials, historical sites and museums in Washington, D.C., and experience the events of the 45th Presidential Inauguration including witnessing the Oath of Office, Presidential Address and Inauguration Parade. They also had the opportunity to interact with panels of professionals from the national media and Executive Branch, including a former Secretary of Agriculture, a U.S. Ambassador, and a former Chief of Staff to the First Lady.
For more than 50 years the National 4-H Conference Center has invited thousands of young people from across the country to travel to Washington, DC , and participate in civic workshops, committees and field trips before returning home to make positive changes in their own communities. CWF not only strengthens young people’s understanding of the government’s civic process, but it also boosts their leadership skills, communication and advocacy skills and overall confidence.
About 4 H
4 H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. To learn more about 4-H, contact the University of Maryland Extension Calvert County 4-H Office at 410-535-3662 or 301-855-1150, or e-mail 4-H Educator Elaine Long Bailey at elbailey@umd.edu or 4-H Program Assistant Ari Strahl at astrahl@umd.edu. Like all University of Maryland Extension Programs, 4-H is an equal opportunity and equal access program.