Top 4-H members across the nation will gather in Atlanta, Ga. for the 93rd National 4-H Congress scheduled for Nov. 28 through Dec. 2. 4-H members earned the right to attend by excelling in their 4-H project work. Members are evaluated on their work in project mastery, leadership, community service and citizenship throughout their entire 4-H career.

Illinois will be represented at National 4-H Congress by 26 state 4-H award winners. Included in those individuals will be Alexandra Ruwe, a 10 year member of the Maroa Livestock 4-H Club, who received her award in the area of Animal Science. A senior at Maroa Forsyth High School, Alexandra has been active in numerous county events including the Macon County 4-H Ambassadors and a Macon County Federation member. Alexandra was also a recipient of the 4-H Premier LCP Award which is given to the top ten 4-H members, in the State of Illinois by Illinois Farm Bureau, for exhibiting outstanding leadership, citizenship, cooperation, and professionalism.

“National 4-H Congress offers states an opportunity to provide these outstanding 4-H youth with an expanded educational experience through seminars, community service projects, and tours sponsored by local and national 4-H program donors,” said Debra Stocker, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist.

Highlighting this year’s event will be the premier expert on school-to-work transition, Eric Chester. He will be joined throughout the week by CNN correspondent Nancy Grace; internationally known speaker, songwriter/recording artist, and author Dan Clark; and Holocaust survivor Dr. Eugen Schoenfeld.

National 4-H Congress is conducted by Cooperative Extension Service staff on behalf of the Cooperative Extension System of the state land-grant universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. For more information on Macon County 4-H Youth Development programs, contact the Macon County Extension office at 217.877.6042 or online at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/dmp/.