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Ana Torres, 4-H Regional Coordinator

University of California

San Luis Obispo, CA

A part of 4-H in CA for 5 years, and currently oversees programing in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz.

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4-H Educator for Orange, Washington, Windham and Windsor Counties. University of Vermont

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Lauren Traister, 4-H Teen & Leadership Program Coordinator
University of Vermont Extension

For the past 19 years I have been a Spark Champion, fanning the flames for Vermont youth to THRIVE.

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Xavier Bell - Louisiana-  LSU AgCenter

I connect with the openness to challenge & discovery of the Thrive Model because as a former 4-H member, 4-H allowed me the opportunity to discovery myself and the world around me and challenge me to be better each day.

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Building relationships is my favorite part of thriving. It is so important in every aspect of what we do, from gaining the trust of our youth and volunteers to building capacity in our communities! Relationships are key to success in all other components of thriving.

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Joe Drake, University of New Hampshire 4-H Volunteer Field Specialist. Belonging is one of the most critical pieces we provide for our 4-H youth. Every youth should feel like they belong and are connected to the community.

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Kelly Campbell
Cornell University
New York

Reflecting on my own 4-H experience has helped to develop my understanding of the model and I am fascinated by observing the model in the stories of our youth and programs. I can see how my initial years in 4-H, in which I struggled to open up to opportunities for challenge and discovery, contrasted to my final years when I discovered opportunities connected to my spark, connected with others who shared the same passions, and was provided opportunities to continually develop my skills and confidence. I believe the Thriving Model can not only help us to share a more consistent and impactful story but provide a framework to help us think beyond what we have always done to extent PYD to a wider audience! Proud to be a champion!

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Grace Wittman, University of Idaho, Cassia County.
I love that the thriving model is focused on the individual child and what inspires and drives them.

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UMass-Amherst, Mt. Ida Campus - Serving Essex, Middlesex, and Suffolk Counties

Miller Hall
UMass Mt. Ida Campus
100 Carlson Ave
Newton, MA 02459
Phone: 617-243-1934

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Tina Cowger
WVU Extension - Fairmont, WV
I was able to try many different activities through 4-H. Some I liked (Baked Desserts I & II) and some I didn't (photography). But I had the opportunity to discovery what I enjoyed doing. I still prefer baking over cooking to this day and I hope to provide opportunities for today's youth to discover their interests through 4-H.

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University of Massachusetts Extension, 4-H Educator, western Mass region.

Fanning the flames of a spark is amazingly rewarding.
The Thriving Model allows us to have a common language, proof that what we do matters, and unified direction (even more than before).

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Karen Deighan, University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire. I believe that it is vital to give all youth what they need when they need it and that they all can succeed and THRIVE!

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Susan Garey, Extension Agent Animal Science, University of Delaware, Dover Delaware My 4-H Sparks led me to my career!

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Jenny Murray
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV
I was given an opportunity to explore my sparks through 4-H. I completed many sewing and self-determined projects during my 4-H experience around needlework. Additionally, I was given opportunities to lean into my sparks around community volunteerism and leadership. There were many spark champions in my life and I hope I can be a spark champion for current 4-H youth.

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Mike Hauser
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Apache & Navajo County
Providing the opportunity ->Providing the spark

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Kristy L Ouellette, PhD
University of Maine
Extension Faculty, 4-H Youth Development

For the past 14 years it's been my honor working with young people in Maine 4-H. I have seen the impact and magic behind the 4-H thriving model. I LOVE developing and cultivating sparks within young people.

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Jen Cushman
University of Connecticut
Hartford County
Farmington, CT
As a UConn 4-H Alumni, I know the impact that 4-H has, I strive to help youth find their spark and thrive.

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Alexa Maille, NYS 4-H STEM Specialist with Cornell University

I'm excited about so much about the 4-H Thriving Model. I love how it brings current research to give us more specific strategies for supporting youth and creating environments where they thrive, layering on our previous understandings. I also love all the questions it inspires as we balance the science of learning more about how human grow in general populations trends with the art growing relationships with the specific people in our life.

I also love the flower metaphor and the related stories that grow from that idea. You'll find me off on multiple tangents connecting those stories together :)

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Lisa Berkland, Iowa State University
I love the predictiveness of the model and connect with how youth engagement has a moderating effect.

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Nate Arnett, Ohio State University
Love having a practical model to drive our PYD efforts!

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Amy Henschen
University of Illinois
I love helping staff create sparks, provide youth with strong developmental relationships, and provide a quality, welcoming context for youth to grow and thrive.

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Matthew Rodriguez, PhD
University of California
Auburn, CA
My training as a family scientist and father-involvement researcher helps me understand the range of developmental contexts that shape positive youth development across the life course.

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Karen Johnston

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Lena D Mallory
University of Kentucky

I relate to the 4-H Thrive Model because I see my 4-H journey from my days as a 4-Her to my continued growth as a County 4-H Youth Development Agent.

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Darlene Locke, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist

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As a 4-H alumni, Spark and Thrive ring true for me. As an adolescent, I found 4-H to be my spark when I didn't feel like I fit in other out-of-school programs. 4-H lifted me into leadership roles I would have never had otherwise. I want other youth to have those same connections.

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Joy Scott, Auburn University, Auburn AL
Being an Alabama 4-H Alumni, the Thrive Model is a true testament of my 4-H time as a 4-H member and now as an employee with Alabama 4-H. My " Spark" with 4-H started when I participated in the county 4-H public speaking contest.

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Amy Lang
UMD Extension - Charles County
I love the focus on PYD that the Thrive model provides; helping each of us hone the focus of our programs to help youth thrive.

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My name is Mirandi Reese Watson, and I am a 4-H Foundation Regional Agent II for Alabama 4-H at Auburn University.  I work out of Cherokee County, Alabama, and am responsible for all of the 4-H programming in my county.  I am from a small community in Northeast Alabama called Black Creek.  This area, along with the county that I am assigned to, is rich in natural beauty, recreational tourism, and agriculture.  I live atop Lookout Mtn. at the base of the Appalachian Mountains.  I love to teach my 4-H members about the things in their very own backyards, in hopes they will love it and protect it! This amazing 4-H Thrive Model has given me and my fellow educators the opportunity to give direction to what we do and help to make OUR best, even better. It has given us a renewed sense of what we do and WHY we do it!

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Gretchen Sumbrum
University of Maryland, College Park

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Jennifer Swensen, University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

I have enjoyed learning and using the 4-H Thriving Model in our state!  From offering professional development opportunities for staff to getting amazing data from the survey that is going to help us Thrive as a state :-)

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Shelby Carlson
University of Illinois
Galesburg, IL

I love that the Thrive Model allows us to measure the impact of 4-H! We all know it works but now we can brag to the world.

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Dawn VandeVoort, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension

I'm excited to be part of the 4-H Thriving Champions Network and help colleagues in Wisconsin administer the 4-H Thriving Model Evaluation Tool to learn how to improve their local programs!

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Jill Tingey
University of Nevada, Reno
Elko County
Western Regional PYD Champion Co-Chair
4-H Thriving Model Foundations Academy presenter

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Nancy Shelstad
University of Idaho
Caldwell, Idaho

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Extension Educator based out of southwest MN
Empowering staff and youth to build high Quality learning environments using a PYD approach is the best part of my work!

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Tayler Wickham, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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I love engaging with folks about the impact of 4-H through the Thriving Model!

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165 County Road 519, Belvidere, NJ 07823, USA

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165 County Road 519, Belvidere, NJ 07823, USA

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165 County Road 519, Belvidere, NJ 07823, USA

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Alayne Torretta
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Warren County
I connect to the Thriving Model through my interest in the science of well-being through the delivery of essential skills and competencies to youth that will boost serotonin levels, thus creating an environment that will develop those seven indicators of thriving.

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Stephanie Femrite, University of Missouri. I facilitate learning by providing youth choice in how they engage.

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Paula Lucas, Penn State University, Meadville, PA I connect with the Thrive model by relating my work to the stem of the flower where I help youth thrive through their 4-H experiences.

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Christine Heverly, Michigan State University, St. Johns, MI. I connect with Thrive as I feel it helps make PYD easier to understand for volunteers and others.

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Kathy Fischer
Michigan State University
I enjoy seeing youth use their spark in whatever way they need it at that time.

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I want to cultivate that rich soil where my youth will break the soil with their spark. That's why "I am" a champion in "Helping Youth Thrive"!

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Marilee Anderson, Oregon State University

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Hunter Isbell
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Decherd, TN
My spark is providing youth the capacity to make their own choices in learning, developing, and giving back. In 4-H, we don't only tell youth they can climb mountains, but we also show them how. #TrailblazerEffect

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Jon Gandy
Oregon State University
Jefferson County
Madras, OR
I strive to offer youth the opportunity to find their Spark in a location where they build relationships and gain a sense of Belonging.

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The Ohio State University
The Thrive model has ignited me to think about how we nourish the roots of our volunteers, youth and ourselves.

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Meagan Hoffman
North Dakota State University
4-H Youth Development Specialist
Fargo, ND
My spark is mentorship. I LOVE mentoring youth and the college students who work alongside me in my office

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Maria Walker
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
National Facilitator
Omaha, NE
I facilitate belonging as I learn and say individuals' names.