Local 4-Her Earns State and National Honors in One Week
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Collapse ▲Some weeks change everything. For Aubrey Mekus, a Union County 4-H’er, that week was July 21 to July 25. While 4-H Congress is always a celebration for teens across North Carolina, Aubrey experienced a week unlike any other. In just five days, she accomplished achievements that many youth spend years working toward.
During that week, Aubrey won gold in her state presentation, was inducted into the NC 4-H Honor Club, was selected for the state AIRE program, earned a national trip, and was elected as North Carolina 4-H State President.
“It was a little daunting at the very beginning with so many things happening in one week,” Aubrey said, “but I just went with the flow and kept calm. With each win, I was so excited! With all the time and work that I put in, it was so rewarding for things to work out. I’m filled with so much gratitude for how things happened!”
State Presentation Finals
Every year, 4-H’ers across North Carolina present on topics that interest and matter to them. To reach the state competition, participants must place blue or red at the county level, then gold or silver at the district level. This year, Aubrey Mekus chose to focus her presentation on Livestock and Dairy Production. She earned first place at both the county and district levels, leaving only the state competition ahead.
State pre
sentations can be challenging, as competitors are made up of youth in the same age group who also placed first and second at their district contests. Aubrey kept calm and relied on her knowledge, delivering her presentation at her very best. Her hard work paid off, earning her gold (first place) at the state level.
When asked why she chose her topic, Aubrey said, “I love agriculture and I’ve always had more of an interest in livestock, so I was immediately drawn to the Livestock and Dairy Production Category. With being on the Livestock Skillathon team, you learn a lot about nutrition and anatomy. I also have taught the large ruminant station at our county’s Wake Up to Ag day for two years. That station is primarily focused on the ruminant stomach and how it works. I felt like it was a great opportunity to use my knowledge and understanding of this material as my presentation topic.”
Induction into the NC 4-H Honor Club
Every year, a select number of youth are inducted into the 4-H Honor Club. The 4-H Honor Club is one of the highest honors a youth can receive. It is a lifelong membership that offers the opportunity to give back to future 4-H’ers across the state. Only about 0.5% of the current enrollment of North Carolina 4-H members are accepted each year.
The Honor Club is not about one single event or accomplishment. Instead, it represents a record of continued involvement, leadership, volunteering, and mentoring throughout a member’s 4-H journey.
“I’m so honored to be inducted into Honor Club. Being involved in a lifelong organization that focuses on giving back and helping all 4-Hers is a very impactful and fulfilling experience. I’m so excited to give back to the organization that has made me who I am.” Aubrey said when asked what being inducted into the Honor Club means to her.
Elected as North Carolina 4-H State President
Starting Monday at Congress, Aubrey announced her candidacy for North Carolina 4-H State President. This position is one of the highest offices a 4-H member can achieve. Aubrey brought with her years of leadership experience, having served as president of the Union Academy Livestock Club, president and vice president of Teen Council, and president of the South Central District.
Aubrey began preparing a year in advance by meeting district and state 4-H members and building her network. As Congress drew closer, she entered the deep planning stage, designing campaign buttons, creating her booth, and preparing her speech. During NC 4-H Congress, members running for state office campaign by setting up a booth to meet other members, giving a formal speech in front of more than 400 youth and adults, and traveling to each district’s meeting room to answer questions from voting members.
The formal speeches are a key part of the process, giving voters the chance to see how candidates perform under pressure, stay within a time limit, and communicate their ideas clearly and confidently. Many officers write their formal speeches weeks in advance.
“I had wrote my speech weeks in advance to shape it to its best version.” Aubrey said. “When I went on stage, I didn’t read it. Even though I put a lot of time and thought into it, it felt scripted and not from the heart. I hope that the audience felt my passion and love for 4-H because of what it has done for me. I may not have said it in my speech, but I hope that the audience saw that I was speaking from my heart and not reading from a piece of paper.”
Aubrey’s AIRE Success
AIRE is an annual 4-H program for youth ages 14–18 that helps participants build valuable life skills in applications, interviews, resumes, and essays, tools they can use when applying for jobs or college. It is an intensive and highly involved process, requiring youth to carefully make their materials to showcase both their skills and their character. Because of its competitive nature, many participants spend years preparing before they apply.
“The whole process was a great way to prepare me for college essays, resumes, and applications,” Aubrey said. “As a rising senior in high school, I’m very grateful to have gotten some experience with these different aspects that will help me for college, the job market, and my future. The interview was a very cool experience. I love interviews and engaging with people. The AIRE interviewers were so warm and friendly and made the whole experience very positive. I highly recommend all 4-Hers to take on this opportunity!”
Youth selected through AIRE are awarded a spot on a prestigious national 4-H trip, with options including the National 4-H Leadership Conference, National 4-H Congress, or National 4-H Conference. This year, Aubrey was chosen to attend National 4-H Congress, which will take place in Atlanta, Georgia.
Aubrey looks forward to applying what she learns at the event back home. “On all levels of my 4-H journey including my Club, County, and State. I hope to use the newly learned skills in meetings, events, activities, etc.”
Where It All Began
Although Aubrey achieved many accomplishments in one week, she had to start somewhere. Everyone who joins 4-H, regardless of their age, remembers their very first 4-H event. For Aubrey, that was the 2020 Livestock Skillathon Competition. She was guided by her club members and club leaders, Tessa Burleson and Michael Alexander.
“I’m grateful for everyone that I’ve met through 4-H, they all have impacted me in more ways than they may know.” Aubrey said. “My biggest inspiration is my Agriculture teacher and coach, Mr. Alexander. He has always been there for me whether I need help, advice, or just someone to talk to. He is a very wise person who has accomplished many great things. He’s truly an inspiration and a role model to everyone he meets. I look up to him so much.”
Aubrey’s Advice for Future 4-H’ers
Aubrey has accomplished a great deal in her 4-H career, and she still has more to give. She has served as a role model to younger 4-H’ers and will leave a lasting legacy in Union County for years to come.
When asked what advice she would give to someone just starting 4-H, Aubrey said, “I would tell them to take risks. Even if it seems crazy or scary, you have nothing to lose. Dream big and run with opportunities. 4-H is what you want it to be, it’s full of possibilities, you just have to put the time and work in to make it the best experience.“
For those who want to follow in her footsteps, Aubrey emphasized the importance of planning. “Setting goals is something I do yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily. Whether it’s big goals or smaller goals, it’s important to have something to work for and to motivate you. Set your eyes on a goal you want to achieve and work hard to achieve it.”
On a final note, Aubrey shared what she wishes more people knew about 4-H. “Though I love the agricultural aspect of 4-H, there is so much that 4-H has to offer beyond agriculture. No matter what your interests are, there is a place for everyone in 4-H. 4-H is so diverse in many ways and has something for all youth to explore.”
