Ohio 4-H has nine brand new heroes, and they are focused on health!
The Ohio 4-H Health HEROES program is back after being on pause for two years. These HEROES (Health Education Resources for Outreach, Engagement, and Service) are teen healthy living advocates who are trained to create community action plans that impact health issues and topics in their local communities.
The 2022-23 HEROES meet for the first time this month to begin planning for the National 4-H Healthy Living Summit and the 2023 Ohio 4-H Conference. Their action plans will be featured during Health Day at the 2023 Ohio State Fair, and 
the Health HEROES will partner with local adult mentors to carry out their action plans. Many are interested in going into a health-related profession, so they will also explore career opportunities.
Interested 4-H members completed an application to become a Health HERO. They were asked why healthy living was important to them. Evelyn Hill from Fairfield County wrote:
“I want to help other people improve their own lives as well as learn and improve my own life to make it healthier. I want to be the encouraging voice that will give people the resources they are lacking to live better lives.”
Andrew Okoye, a 4-H member from Butler County wrote about his career goals:
“I've always been interested in medicine ever since I was a kid. All I’ve ever dreamed of was to be able to nurse others back to health and help others in any way I can. I plan to major in medicine and eventually get a job in healthcare.”
GraceLynn Harter from Darke County wrote about healthy lifestyles:
“I believe choosing to live a healthy lifestyle allows for a complete new mindful mindset and I want to share that experience with others. I also want to inspire families and youth in my county to create their own new healthy lifestyles.”
Previous Health HEROES led initiatives on opioid education, vaping prevention, and advocating for mental health awareness and resources.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the Ohio 4-H Health HEROES program, check out the HEROES webpage or email Justin Bower, State 4-H Healthy Living and Ohio Military Kids Educator, at bower.183@osu.edu.
You can also support the Health HEROES and other Healthy Living programming by donating to the 4-H Healthy Living fund today!
Nine teen Ohio 4-H members were selected to serve as 2022-23 Ohio 4-H Health HEROES with the goal to positively impact the health of their communities: Adriana Rodriguez-Denner, Andrew Okoye, Aspen Baca, Daxton Harter, Elizabeth Schubert, Evelyn Hill, Gabrielle Antro, GraceLynn Harter, Sela Hennon