4-H delegates attend conference

South Jersey 4-H Teen Conference (SJTC) is a 10-county conference for 4-H teens that focuses on leadership and personal development. This year the conference was held from March 9-11 in Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County.

Teen delegates from the participating counties attended, including Vishal Chandawarkar, Taryn Leary, Amy Smith, Sandy Smith and Sarah Sakowski, all of Marlboro, Austin, Cole, Tyler Cole, Jordan Larkin and Crysta Timmerman, all of Freehold, Nicole Redden of West Keansburg, Jessica Sagui of Oakhurst, Jessica Torriero of Colts Neck, Diana Vogel of Howell, and John Voorhees of Allentown.

According to a press release from 4-H, this year's theme, celebrating the 50th anniversary of SJTC, was "Back to the Future with 4-H."

Interactive workshops were presented on topics ranging from "Youth Taking the Lead" to "Imagine a World Without Hunger." A semiformal banquet followed by a dance was held on Saturday evening. A highlight of the weekend was the election of two South Jersey youth representatives who will represent 4-H youth in the state 4-H Leaders Association.

According to the press release, the 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach to enable youth to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to become competent, caring and contributing citizens of the world.