Each month, we spotlight an Ohio 4-H alum whose story reflects the program’s lasting impact. This month’s feature is Mariah Steele, a proud alumna of Adventure Central 4-H in Dayton, Ohio.
Mariah discovered 4-H by chance when she and her father noticed a large red building in Dayton. Their curiosity led them to stop and learn more, and that visit introduced Mariah to Adventure Central when she was about nine years old. For the next year, she participated in after-school and summer exploration programs.
After a year in the program, Mariah’s family moved farther away, making it difficult to stay involved. Years later, as a college student, she returned to Adventure Central—first as a volunteer and later as an employee.
In 2015, a college course required Mariah to complete volunteer hours. She chose Adventure Central for her assignment, and after fulfilling her requirement, she continued volunteering because of the program’s impact on her life. Months later, she was offered a position and worked there throughout her time at Wright State University.
Mariah didn’t just reconnect; she inspired her younger sisters to join, which eventually led her dad to volunteer as well. He still serves at Adventure Central today. Her sisters participated in the Job and Employment Training (JET) program, a summer initiative for youth ages 10–15 that provides real-world experience through “mini internships” focused on soft skills and job readiness. Mariah even had the chance to guide her sisters through JET as a program leader.
During her time at Adventure Central, two influential individuals left a lasting impression on Mariah’s life. Nate Arnett, the Extension educator, aided Mariah in her connection to the program. “We called him Mr. A—he was, and still is, like a work dad to me and many other students,” Mariah shared. Angela Collie, affectionately known as Miss Peaches, guided Mariah through key college steps. “I came to Miss Peaches one day, unsure about FAFSA. She walked me through that and many other milestones in my college journey.”
Mariah’s favorite 4-H memory involves planting trees at Adventure Central—a tradition where participants start a seed indoors, nurture it, and eventually plant it on the property. Today, Mariah has two trees there: one for herself and one for her mother. After her mother passed away in 2021, Mariah asked Nate Arnett if she could plant a tree in her memory. Adventure Central agreed, and Mariah chose a spot near a bench, adding a painted brick beside the tree to honor her mother.
Today, Mariah is a Licensed Master Social Worker in Mississippi, where she earned her MSW from the University of Mississippi. Before relocating, she worked with several nonprofits serving youth in after-school and collaborative programs. Now, she presents school programs and serves as a community support specialist for mental health. Mariah credits 4-H for teaching her to plan lessons, collaborate effectively, engage audiences, and design activities that foster community involvement. The program also helped her develop professionalism—in both appearance and communication.
Mariah remains connected to 4-H by seeking opportunities in Mississippi and advocating for the program among the youth and adults she serves. She also travels to Ohio annually to visit her trees and reconnect with former students and peers from Adventure Central. At home, she continues to share volunteer opportunities with her sisters and father.
Mariah’s advice to current 4-H’ers: Be true to yourself. “Everyone has unique interests, so embrace yours. Be authentic, stay open to new ideas, and shoot for the stars.”
Mariah still treasures a signed photo of students she worked with at Adventure Central and stays in touch with many fellow volunteers. Her experiences there helped shape her social work career and earned her the Next Gen Leader Award at the 2022 National Afterschool Conference for her contributions to after-school programs.