Davidson County 4-H County Council Spotlight – Clarissa Mitchell
Each month the Davidson County 4-H Extension Update article will spotlight one member of our youth county council.
They will be asked to answer a few questions about why they stay involved with 4-H, what the program means to them, and what
they accomplished through their years of leadership. This month we talk with Clarissa Mitchell of Denton. Clarissa
is a member of the Cedar Springs 4-H Club and has served as a county leader for many years.
How long have you been active in 4-H?
I have been active in 4-H for around 8 years, after I first attended a club meeting
in 2011.
What has been your major areas of focus in your time with 4-H?
My project
focuses have been primarily leadership, community service, and citizenship, with a concentration in delegation and representation.
I was also active in the Family and Consumer Science fields, annually participating in the 4-H Dress Revue and presenting
demonstrations related to sewing.
What is your favorite annual event?
My favorite
annual event is the NC State 4-H Congress in July because it allows its participants to engage with other youth around the
state and develop their leadership skills in a high-energy atmosphere.
What accomplishments
are you the most proud of?
I am most proud of the term that I served as the North Central District President after being
elected by my peers at the 2017 Teen Retreat. I was able to grow tremendously as a leader and holding the office helped me
alongside my team serve the community outside of Davidson County more effectively. I am also proud to have been inducted into
the NC 4-H Honor Club in July 2018, which is a selective merit-based organization whose membership distinguishes the 4-H’er
and the impact they have made on their community.
Are there any goals you are still
trying to achieve?
2019 is my last year in 4-H, because the club is for members 18 years old and younger, and I am happy
to say that I have accomplished nearly all my goals that I set to accomplish in my time in the 4-H program. I would say that
my primary goal in 4-H right now is to help younger members realize the potential they have in 4-H and help develop their
capability to become future leaders and serve as active members of their communities.
What
would you tell someone who has never heard about 4-H, why get involved?
4-H is an organization that has truly shaped
my preteen and teenage years and has allowed me to develop so many skills that I would have otherwise had difficulty learning.
4-H is also not just agriculture! The organization has many programs and project focuses to offer, including STEM related
projects like robotics, leadership, personal development, and public speaking opportunities, citizenship focuses that help
you learn more about your local and national communities, hands-on activities like shooting sports, sewing, crafts, and community
service, in addition to the agriculture side of 4-H where you can learn more about farming, horticulture, animals, and even
raise animals of your own to show at competitions. Ultimately, 4-H will not only provide you with skills and professional
development, it will also help you gain a perspective of the world around you. You learn more about community, gain a readiness
to serve, and find ways to truly unlock your inner potential to make your best work even better.
Favorite overall thing about 4-H and/or your favorite memory?
My favorite thing about 4-H is simply the community
the club has to offer. 4-H’ers are some of the most passionate, driven, supportive, and kind people this state has to
offer, and meeting these people is so easy through the various programs 4-H has to offer. Meeting youth from around the state
who share similar interests and values as you do really helps you feel a sense of belonging, and if you ask any 4-H member,
they will agree that we are not just 4-H members, we are a 4-H family. My favorite memory is being able to travel
around with my fellow Davidson County 4-H’ers to different activities, such as our annual County Council Ski Trip in
the Appalachians, NC State 4-H Congress in Raleigh, National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, and District Teen Retreat at the Betsy
Jeff-Penn 4-H Camp. I was able to make friendships that will last a lifetime and to share some of my most precious memories
with my fellow 4-H’ers. Although I’m sad to be “aging out”, I’m glad that I was able to spend
so much time with Davidson County 4-H, its members, opportunities, supportive agents, and its remarkable community driven
to “Make the Best Better”.
If you would like more information on how to get
involved with the Davidson County 4-H program please contact Matt Barber at 336-242-2086. NC State University/4-H is
committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color,
disability, family and marital status, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion,
sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status.
