Youth In Action: Kennedy Wright, Healthy Living

My 4-H story

4-H has made me the person I am today through public speaking, leadership opportunities, and confidence-building. It gave me the ability to explore my passions and interests under an umbrella of meaningful pillars. I joined 4-H at 5 years old, following behind my two older sisters to club meetings as they explored the STEM side of 4-H. I, however, was always really drawn to healthy living activities. I recall being in Cloverbud, participating in healthy cooking demos and workshops led by Agent Kendra Young. As a young vegetarian, I loved learning and trying new nutrient-rich recipes. Today, I continue to use many of those recipes in my meal planning and sharing them with other vegans and vegetarians struggling with meal ideas. I remember two of the older club members taught a class on yoga and breathing techniques, and I enjoyed it so much I have continued practicing even to this day and encourage others to use the breathing techniques when stressed.

Over the years, I’ve been continually drawn to the 4-H principle of Healthy Living. About two years ago, I really started focusing on this as a growth and leadership opportunity, wondering how I could help other teens. 4-H helped me further my leadership skills, solidify my knowledge, and perform community service by allowing me to create workshops and by being a Virginia Healthy Living Ambassador for the last two years. The prior year as an ambassador, I was able to run a workshop, "Vitamins 101," where I taught about the 13 essential vitamins, daily recommended dosage, and foods where they can be found naturally. Last year as an ambassador, I took charge of our Hospitality and Scheduling bi-weekly team meetings as we planned for the 2026 summit. I planned a workshop on healthy eating, complete with MyPlate activities. Unfortunately, the summit was canceled, but I appreciated the opportunity to organize and plan.

Through being a Healthy Living Ambassador, I was able to attend and present a national workshop at Ignite: "The Chill Skills: Tools for Total Tranquility." In this workshop, I taught the benefits of making/using stress balls, journaling, and healthy snacks. This workshop and space allowed me to grow as a leader by facing new challenges and adapting. One example of this is when I found out a couple of minutes before the workshop that my three other co-leaders were unable to attend the workshop. This caused me to have to think on my feet, pivot, and keep my stress under control by using the same strategies I was going to be teaching. 4-H has shaped me into the person I am today because it ignited an interest, allowed me to explore while skill-building, then encouraged me to become a leader and share with others, all while allowing me to be authentically myself!

Leadership in action

Over the summer, I ran a week-long Henrico 4-H Junior Medics Workshop for ages 9–12. It was important to me to host this so that homeschoolers would feel welcomed and be able to attend. Having been homeschooled until tenth grade, I know that 4-H provides knowledge and skill-building opportunities that can be hard to find outside of traditional school systems. I wanted to give my community the workshop I dreamed of when I was younger—one that offered meaningful experiences that felt useful and real rather than "kiddie." To make this a true community initiative, I invited various local leaders to participate so the youth could learn about organizations doing this work.

The youth received training from several experts. My campers participated in "Stop the Bleed" training led by Community Safety and Response Education, which taught them how to handle various types of cuts and wounds, practicing everything from bandaging to tourniquets. Another day focused on first aid and hands-only CPR led by Apex Nursing. It was critical to me that they learned how to handle emergencies like choking, anaphylactic shock, and how to use a defibrillator. I believe these skills are vital for youth today, as many tweens and teens find themselves home alone while parents are working. I also taught them how to take vital signs and shared lessons on blood banks, herbalism, and healthy eating habits.

I proposed, planned, and ran this workshop with the help of two amazing fellow homeschool volunteers. While I struggled at times with time management—as our 20 eager 4-H’ers were often so engaged they didn't want to end the day—the camp was a massive hit. Numerous parents and children requested that it become a standing 4-H club, and I am happy to announce that I am working with my agents, Ms. Laila and Mrs. Carter, to continue this as a weekly spin club starting next month. This experience taught me that everyone learns differently and has varying social skills; I worked hard to accommodate learning differences, neurodiversity, and physical disabilities because I believe every child should have access to participate to the best of their abilities.

Community impact

The camp served over 20 youth from grades 4–8. At the beginning of the camp, I surveyed the students on how they would respond in various medical emergency situations. Many students were unfamiliar with the proper techniques and steps needed to assist people in a medical crisis. I was determined to make sure that by the end of our camp, each participant would have more knowledge, confidence, and practical skills than when they started. I can say for certain that I achieved this goal. As I read through a thank-you card given to me by one of my 4-H club participants and their family, I realized the true impact of my workshop. By sharing my interests genuinely, I had inspired others at the same time. The kids excitedly showed their parents their new skills at the end of each day, and I can confidently state that each participant took an interest in at least one topic covered. Not only were they inspired, but they were actively sharing their knowledge in their communities and encouraging others to learn lifesaving medical skills.

By the end of my camp, several parents and students requested that the workshop continue over the school year, a suggestion that is currently in motion. Their response showed a need for the club and the trust families placed in it. I received messages from parents stating that their children went home and taught friends, neighbors, and siblings about what they learned in Junior Medics Camp. One student shared how to brace an injured leg using a splint and bandages, while another parent reported that their child offered to take their grandma's blood pressure. Another student taught their parent the correct way to provide CPR to an infant. The Junior Medic Club trained young people and will continue to teach them how to care for themselves and others in low-risk medical emergencies until professionals can assist. I loved hearing about how other youth were extending their new skills beyond our camp and growing in their confidence. This inspires me to continue teaching and providing a space for sharing health and emergency medical knowledge with youth in my community with the support of specialized local organizations.