Life

4-H grads have given back to community

4-H members and 2020 high school graduates Bryson Capps, Dana Jakubielski, Dessie McCarson, Katherine Ayala and Wyatt Kay have learned skills in 4-H that will benefit them throughout their lives and given back to their communities through 4-H citizenship

By DENISE SHERRILL, Henderson County 4-H Agent, Published: June 13, 2020

While we are sad to watch our seniors age out of 4-H, and some of them move away, we are excited for their new opportunities and we are confident that they will have bright futures!

Bryson Capps
Bryson Capps has been part of the Barnyard Bandits 4-H Club for more than 10 years. Bryson helps teach the younger members how to show sheep in the fair. He also helps special needs adults show sheep at the Mountain State Fair in the Very Special Livestock Show. He is a Team Member at Chick-fil-A. Bryson has a heart for service. He is active in his church, has taught Vacation Bible School, and served on missions trips for five years. Bryson is graduating as a homeschooler, but he has been taking classes at Fruitland Baptist Bible College for several years. Bryson plans to be a pastor, and has already preached multiple sermons at several different churches. Bryson says, “I am forever thankful for 4-H. It has helped me grow in so many ways. I have built social skills, learned how to show and take care of animals, participated in shooting sports, and become a confident public speaker. 4-H has helped bring me up from a shy kid to the person I am today. I would like to continue to be involved with the 4-H program for years to come.”

Dana Jakubielski
Dana was a member of Leaders in Training 4-H Club for more than 8 years. Just like her 4-H club, Dana’s focus is “service projects, citizenship and fun!” Dana excels at public speaking. She won numerous awards with her 4-H presentations. Dana served as an officer in her 4-H club and County Council. Marcia Torres, former 4-H leader, speaks fondly, “Dana is a wonderful teacher with the little ones. She’s kind, patient, and conscientious.” Dana says, “4-H has given me confidence in public speaking, and as a leader. 4-H has prepared me for college and a leadership program in college. 4-H helped me to be a hard worker, care about my academics, and help people out.” She is graduating from Canongate High School. Dana was awarded the Hintemeyer Catholic Leadership Award for an incoming freshman at Belmont Abbey College.

Dessie McCarson
Dessie is a dedicated member of the Young Naturalists 4-H Club, where she has developed skills in shooting sports. Chip Worrell, 4-H Shooting Sports Coach, describes Dessie as, “very easy going, competitive, and a hard worker! This girl has the heart of a warrior!” Because she was a state winner in Air Rifle, she qualified to represent North Carolina at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational, but is disappointed that the national competition won’t take place this year. She will be on the 2021 team representing North Carolina. Dessie is a homeschool graduate. She says, “4-H helped me prepare for the future by giving me the courage to talk to people more, which will help with my future career in nursing. Shooting sports has helped me by showing me what hard work is and what true discipline is. It has also helped me by showing me my passion for the outdoors and hunting.”

Katherine Ayala
Katherine is a serious, hardworking student at Hendersonville High School and a loyal volunteer. Katherine joined 4-H 12 years ago. She gave 4-H presentations, volunteered with the goats at the Carl Sandburg Home, and served as a Leader in Training at 4-H Camp. Katherine says, “I am grateful to have been a part of 4-H. I started when I was very young: I was shy, timid, and lacked self-confidence. However, participating in many 4-H programs has helped me become confident and has set a lifetime of self-discovery, growth, and inspiration. 4-H has helped me see challenges as opportunities. Because of 4-H, I see myself as a leader who can influence not only my future but also the future of others in a positive way. 4-H has created a lifetime of opportunities for me and has instilled a foundation of leadership and serving others.” Katherine has also been part of Kiwanettes, the band, the swim and cross country teams, and works as a lifeguard at the YMCA. Katherine plans to attend Berea College with the goal of becoming a pharmacist.

Wyatt Kay
Wyatt has been a member of the Barnyard Bandits 4-H Club for 4 years. He has shown sheep, pigs and cattle. Wyatt’s experience in 4-H helped him decide to pursue a career in the beef cattle industry. Wyatt also has his auctioneer’s license. He is graduating from Polk County High School, where he is a member of FFA, and part of an award winning Land Judging Team. Wyatt plans to go to Wilkes Community College for a degree in Applied Animal Science Technology, then transfer to NC State.

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Denise Sherrill is the 4-H agent for Henderson County. 4-H is the Youth Development Program of NC Cooperative Extension, which is a division of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NCSU. Visit http://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/4-H, https://www.facebook.com/hendersoncountync4h/, call 697-4891 or email Denise_Sherrill@ncsu.edu to learn more about 4-H virtual programs or endowments.