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Ohio 4-H Youth Development

Ohio State University Extension

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4-H royalty at Ohio State

Maddie Allman

4-H alumna Maddie Allman has been selected for the 2021 Ohio State University Homecoming Court. This honor does not come easily, and Allman attributes much of her success to her 4-H experience.

Homecoming court members are selected based on their spirit, involvement, leadership qualities, and academic standing. Applicants complete a written application and interview process before being selected. Fortunately for Maddie, these are all things that she learned through her involvement in Ohio 4-H. 

Maddie, in front of her on a table is a rabbit. To the right of the rabbit is a trophy, to the left is two trophies, hanging on one trophy is a banner.At age 8, Maddie joined her 4-H club in Vinton County because she wanted to show rabbits. Rabbits led to non-livestock projects, 4-H camp, junior fair board, and eventually the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council (TLC). As part of TLC in 2019, Maddie took a position as the Vice President of Outreach. The culmination of these experiences taught her life skills that she continues to use as a college student. 

Maddie attributes her passion, ambition, confidence, and public speaking abilities to 4-H. Without 4-H, she doesn’t believe that she would be where she is today.

“4-H made me who I am, and it has given me the confidence to do things like run for homecoming court,” saidMaddie, with two other homecoming court member, hugging Brutus Buckeye in Ohio Stadium. Allman.

On top of these skills, 4-H has also led to Maddie’s career choice. She is majoring in community leadership with a focus on community and Extension education and dual minors in youth development and rural sociology. She also works as a student assistant at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Following graduation, Maddie plans to pursue a career in Extension education and continue on to graduate school.

When she isn’t focused on work or academics, Maddie is actively involved on campus. Currently, she serves as president of Ohio State’s Collegiate 4-H Club.

Court members are responsible for helping with several back-to-school events. In the past month, Maddie has assisted with Ohio State’s Welcome Week, Involvement Fair, and convocation for first- and second-year students. In October, she will have Maddie with Dean for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Cathann A. Kress and past University President Dr. Michael V. Drake.the opportunity to attend the homecoming football game and be recognized on the field.

Each member of Ohio State’s homecoming court also chooses an organization they are passionate about and are expected to conduct a fundraiser for the group. For Maddie, it was an easy decision.

“I couldn’t think of anything else except for 4-H. I thought to myself, ‘I have to fundraise for 4-H’,” said Allman.

All donations made to Maddie’s fundraiser will go to the Ohio 4-H Foundation Fund. This fund supports Ohio 4-H Youth Development programming efforts and goes toward supporting 4-H members participating in conferences, camps, and other activities. If you are interested in donating to Maddie’s fundraiser, please follow the link below for more information.A girl wearing a green jacket ziplining.

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