Millerton teen selected as one of three Outstanding 4-H’ers

 MILLERTON — North Johnson of Millerton was chosen to receive the Outstanding 4-H Member Award for the 4-H Club Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties. So, too, were Emily Ooms of Chatham and Megan Proper of Acra.

 The Outstanding 4-H Member Award is given to 4-H members who are at least 16 years old and who are selected on the basis of number of years in the 4-H, quality and variety of project work, involvement in county and community service activities, as well as completion of project records. 

North is the son of Obie and Nancy Johnson of Millerton.North is home schooled. He has been a 4-H member for 13 years — as a member of the Mountain Rangers 4-H Club and the Columbia Teen Ambassadors 4-H Club.

North has been enrolled in many 4-H projects over the years, including foods and nutrition, natural resources and expressive arts. In his teen years, he  helped organize project meetings for the younger members of his 4-H Club. North worked on his leadership skills through the horse bowl, public presentations and through involvement at county and state fairs.

In his 4-H club, North was the recreation leader; as such he ensured the fun activities he led were appropriate for older as well as younger members. He prided himself in providing homemade snacks.

North was a member of the planning team for the STARR (State Teen Action Rep Retreat) trip. He was also honored as “Mr. 4-H Milk Bar,” after having spent many hours at the Columbia County Fair Milk Bar scooping rock-hard ice cream and changing bags of milk.

4-H is New York’s only youth development program directly connected to the technological advances and the latest research at Cornell University. 4-H participants learn leadership, citizenship and life skills through hands-on projects in three primary areas: science and technology, healthy living and citizenship. 

To learn more about 4-H programs in Columbia and Greene counties, call 518-828-3346, email Columbiagreene@cornell.edu or go to www.ccecolumbiagreene.org.

 Linda Tripp is 4-H youth development issue leader at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties.