Photo submitted to Times Observer Audrey Ferrie has been involved in the Warren County 4-H for the past 11 years. When Pennsylvania 4-H elected its new council members last month, she was among six newly-elected council members, and is the first member from Warren County to serve on the council.

Pennsylvania 4-H elected its new council members last month.

Audrey Ferrie was among six newly-elected council members, and is the first member from Warren County to serve on the council.

Nearly 700 Pennsylvania 4-H youth gathered to network and enhance their leadership skills during the 2020 Pennsylvania 4-H State Leadership Conference from January 31 to February 2. The conference was held at the Penn State Hotel and Conference Center in State College.

In addition to hosting leadership-oriented workshops and recognizing Pennsylvania 4-H state-level award winners, the new Pennsylvania 4-H State Council team was inducted.

Ferrie, the daughter of Ray and Jolene Ferrie of Warren, started her journey at the young age of eight years old. She began by following in her cousin’s footsteps and joined the Scandia Trailblazers Horse Club. She’s now been involved in the Warren County 4-H for the past 11 years.

During that time, she’s participated in horse and leadership projects, as well as serving as the teen representative on the 4-H Advisory Board. She has also attended the National 4-H Conference and Congress in recent years.

According to Audrey, the experiences she’s had have developed her into the person she is today; she has grown an “enormous passion” for the organization.

“It is an honor to be the first-ever Warren County representative on the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council, and I am beyond excited to serve as the vice president of operations.”

With her role on the council, it’s her duty to make sure that the other members are doing their jobs and that everything is running smoothly.

Each council member has their own responsibilities and goals.

“My personal goal as a state council member this year is to impact Pennsylvania 4-H with my story,” said Audrey. She said that she strives to encourage 4-H youth to grasp the true meaning of 4-H at a younger age in order for them to reach their fullest potential.

“Beginning is the hardest part,” Audrey said.

She empowers shy eight-year-olds to step out of their shell and seize all the opportunities offered through the 4-H program.

“Eligibility goes by in the blink of an eye,” said Ferrie.

Audrey admits when she was younger and first starting out, she had a narrow vision of the 4-H program and had no idea of all the opportunities in store for her.

She’s since embraced the 4-H motto, “to make the best better,” and plans to share her story and spread the word about all the amazing things this program provides.

“I want to give back to the program that has given so much to me,” Audrey said.

She is currently an honors student attending Jamestown Community College, and is excited to see what’s in store for her future.

And, the 18-year-old Warren Area High School graduate gives thanks to 4-H.

The Pennsylvania 4-H Council is a premier group of young people selected from around the state to be the official spokespeople for the Pennsylvania 4-H program.

The other council members elected include Jillian Ranko of Butler County, President; Amanda Hollabaugh of Adams County, Vice President of Events; Sydney Brown of Erie County, Vice President of Internal Affairs; Laurie Enders of Armstrong County, Secretary; and Alyssa Neff of Dauphin County, reporter/historian.

Throughout the next year of their term, these individuals will be representing the program at many industry events, planning state-level events, and attending 4-H activities and meetings around the state.

Administered through Penn State Extension, 4-H is a community of more than 6 million young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.

4-H is found in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. County 4-H educators work with volunteers to deliver non-formal education opportunities to youth ages 5-18.

To find your local program, visit www.extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h.

To learn more about the officers and the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council Program, visit www.extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/state-council.