Youth in Action, Sponsored in Part by HughesNet, Recognizes Young People Who Create a Lasting Impact in Their Community

With a shared passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), the National 4-H Council and Hughes have worked together since 2014 to inspire the next generation and broaden access to STEM education in an increasingly technology-dependent world. That includes recognizing young leaders who apply STEM principles to positively impact their communities.

Recently, National 4-H Council announced that Clyde Van Dyke, 18, of Johnson City, NY, was selected as the winner of the 2019 4-H Youth in Action Award, recognizing him for his resilience and commitment to using technology to spark community change. Van Dyke had won the 4-H Youth in Action STEM Pillar Award
sponsored by HughesNet®, making him eligible among other “Pillar” winners for the overall honor. The announcement came at the National 4-H Council Legacy
Awards in Washington, D.C., with notable 4-H alumni in attendance including singer and songwriter Jennifer Nettles and celebrity chef Carla Hall. As the
national Youth in Action winner, Van Dyke received a higher education scholarship sponsored by HughesNet.

A New York 4-H’er, Van Dyke faced many challenges in his childhood, including losing his mother at a young age. But everything changed when a friend invited him to a 4-H technology club meeting. Not only did the 4-H program bring him access and exposure to technology, it helped him develop a wealth of resources and life skills that altered his perspective and motivation.

“Without 4-H, I would’ve slipped through the cracks. 4-H gave me the motivation and resources I needed to overcome the mindset that I couldn’t succeed,” said
Van Dyke. “Now, I show other kids the path for success and what they can gain in 4-H, too.”

“Clyde has demonstrated an authentic passion for applying STEM skills to solve real-world problems,” said Peter Gulla, senior vice president of marketing for HughesNet. “We are proud to support him on his journey to continued success in STEM and in life. We are equally proud to work together with 4-H to continue
broadening young people’s access to STEM education.”

Other 4-H programs supported by HughesNet include the National Youth Science Day, scheduled for October 9, 2019, and STEM Lab—a free online hub offering fun, hands-on activities developed by top public universities and 4-H groups to spark kids’ interest in STEM.