As a company built on engineering excellence, Hughes works to cultivate the next generation of engineering leadership. This is evident in the company’s partnerships with colleges and universities, helping to craft curriculum and give students real-world experience – whether in laboratories on campus or internship opportunities. It’s also a tenet of the company’s work with the National 4-H Council, the nation’s largest youth development organization that empowers nearly six million young people across the U.S. and over one million youth in 50 countries around the world.

Since 2014, HughesNet and the National 4-H Council have collaborated on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs and worked together to promote equal access to quality STEM resources for youth, wherever they live. To this end, HughesNet sponsors the 4-H ‘Youth in Action’ STEM Pillar Award, one of four Youth in Action “pillars” (the others are Agriculture, Citizenship and Healthy Living).

At a gala fundraising event in Washington, D.C., this year’s STEM Pillar Award winner, Clyde Van Dyke, was named the overall National Youth in Action winner. Clyde will serve as the 4-H Youth spokesperson for the year, following in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Cassandra Ivie of West Jordan, Utah.

In his hometown of Johnson City, NY, Clyde lacked access to technology resources and education, but discovered both – as well as confidence and a passion for STEM – when he got involved in his local 4-H chapter. Clyde’s humility and drive were on display Tuesday night as he accepted the National Youth in Action honor. HughesNet proudly sponsored a scholarship for Clyde as he pursues his college education and engages other youth in STEM.

Pictured, left to right: Event MC Carla Hall; Landel C. Hobbs, Chair, National 4-H Council; Clyde Van Dyke, National Youth in Action winner; Peter Gulla, Senior Vice President, Hughes; Jennifer Sirangelo, President & CEO, National 4-H Council