Peabody Achievers 4-H member Alex Young is among 27 youths, ages 14 to 18, honored statewide for their 4-H projects.

A nine-year member of the Achievers, he was honored for his project on performing arts. One winner is selected statewide in each of 27 project categories.

In addition to learning new skills, youths must demonstrate growth and strength in leadership, organization, civic engagement, and communication. 

Winners are selected on the basis of report forms and are screened at county and regional levels before state winners are selected. 

Alex plays trombone and achieved all of his goals last year, including sitting as first chair trombone with Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestra, receiving a I rating at regional and state music contests, and being accepted to district and state honor bands.

He also has been mentoring beginning trombone players. He plans to enter an engineering program after graduation from Peabody-Burns High School next spring.

Winners were honored at a banquet and ice cream social with agents, donors, and families earlier this month in Manhattan.

“We are very proud of his accomplishments in 4-H and recognition at the annual Emerald Circle banquet,” extension agent Tristen Cope said.

Being named a project award winner is one of the highest individual achievements within Kansas 4-H, according to Beth Hinshaw, a regional 4-H youth development specialist.

“All it takes is one spark to ignite that passion in a 4-H project that can then create so many learning opportunities and even the possibility of a future career,” she said. 

Project winners are eligible to attend the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta in November.