HILLSBORO, Ohio – There is just about nothing in 4-H that didn’t interest Hillsboro High School senior Sara Newsome. Her 4-H resume includes being president of the Highland County Junior Leadership Club, Family & Consumer Sciences Board, Junior Fair Board and Fab Five 4-H Club. She served as a member of the Highland County 4-H Committee, Collegiate 4-H at Ohio State University, the Ohio 4-H Foundation Board and she is now president of the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council.

“My goal was to be involved in everything,” Newsome said.

Mission accomplished. For all her work and dedication to 4-H, Newsome was named Ohio 4-H Teen of the Year. The ceremony took place last month at the 2023 Ohio 4-H Conference Teen Luncheon. This all comes on the heels of Newsome being inducted into the Ohio 4-H Teen Hall of Fame in 2022.

“A lot of people don’t realize how much you can actually do with 4-H that’s not only at the state level or county level, but also at the national level,” said Kathy Bruynis, OSU Extension Educator of 4-H Youth Development. “We’ve had kids in the past who were state ambassadors, but Sara is the first one to really take it to the next level.”

Newsome has completed roughly 40 4-H projects over the years, competing at the county fair and Ohio State Fair as well. She’s done a number of special interest projects, including cooking, sewing, leadership and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) categories.

“I think the really interesting thing is that no matter what your favorite thing is, or what you have an interest, there’s 4-H projects that you can do, and there’s an area for you,” Newsome said.

Newsome has competed in a number of fair contests, such as the Poultry Avian Bowl and Barnyard Olympics. Newsome earned the Outstanding Junior Leader Award during the 2020 Highland County Fair and was also crowned 2020 Highland County Fair Queen. That honor led to her competing in the Ohio Fairs’ Queens Contest in 2021, where was awarded first runner-up in the state.

Narrowing down all her experiences to one favorite thing is “really difficult,” Newsome said. “I’ve had a different favorite for every stage of my life in 4-H. Long term, though, I think probably the people, which sounds very cheesy. I think some of my best friends have come out of 4-H, and not even just that, but some of my best connections I have. Things I didn’t realize again until I got older was how many people 4-H would connect me with, and that’s something that adults always tell you is that that’s going to be your most lasting memory.”

Newsome, the daughter of Terry and Tammy Newsome, graduated from Southern State Community College with her associate’s degree as a high school junior. She has been a member of the tennis team, as well as being in student council and robotics as a student at Hillsboro High School.

Four teens were inducted into the Ohio 4-H Teen Hall of Fame at this same luncheon: Adeline Kendle (Tuscarawas County), Adrianna Meyer (Henry County), Melina Matics (Washington County) and Emily Scaff (Scioto County).

Kendle has served 4-H in her county as a public speaker, mentor, camp counselor, junior fair board member, the county Lamb and Wool Queen, and on the 4-H Food and Fashion Board. She was one of the first 4-H members to participate in the Quilts of Valor program, which involved creating and donating quilts to veterans.

Meyer is credited with elevating the Henry County Junior Leadership Club to new heights with her leadership as president by setting goals and priorities. She led a community Easter egg hunt, served as her county’s fair queen, was on the Ohio State Junior Fair Board, and on Teen Leadership Council.

Ten years ago, Matics took on her first 4-H project, and those efforts grew to more than 36 projects, with 28 qualifying for the Ohio State Fair, resulting in eight clock trophies. Her service includes participating as a club officer, camp counselor in Washington County and at State Leadership Camp, junior fair board member, Carteens instructor, and as a member of the Ohio 4-H Foundation. She attended the National 4-H Conference and Congress and was the featured entertainer at the National Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Scaff reorganized the Junior Fair Board in Scioto County, allowing it to run more efficiently. She has been instrumental in helping her county program plan and implement programs for new members and Cloverbuds. On the Teen Leadership Council, her leadership and coordination has led to the personal and collective growth of members.