4‑H Names Cassandra Ivie as the 2018 National 4‑H Youth in Action Winner

Cassandra Ivie receives $10,000 scholarship, sponsored by HughesNet^®, and will serve as 4-H’s lead youth spokesperson

Chevy Chase, MD (March 21, 2018) -- National 4-H Council today announced that Cassandra Ivie, 17, of West Jordan, Utah, was selected as the national winner of the 2018 National ‘Youth In Action’ Award. Ivie who also won the Youth in Action STEM Pillar Award, was honored at National 4‑H Council’s Legacy Awards in Washington, D.C. As the national Youth in Action winner, Ivie will receive $10,000 in scholarships for higher education.

Ivie, a Utah 4-H State Ambassador, is the founder and creator of Incredible Machine, a curriculum that uses supplies to teach chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering to 4-H students in her community. “I teach every activity to countless groups of students, many who come from low income backgrounds in my area,” says Ivie. “This is an excellent platform for learning. The students become passionate about STEM and learning becomes fun.” Ivie received a $6500 grant to fund 10 Incredible Machine kits in rural areas.

Ivie joined 4-H in Kindergarten as a Clover Bud. As the middle child of six children, Ivie joined with an interest in photography and soon developed a love for robotics. Her family saw the benefit of 4-H and started a club with nearly 15 students.

“Cassandra is a shining example of how young people can create change in their communities when they are given the chance to lead,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president & CEO, National 4‑H Council. “Her commitment to lead and connect youth to STEM has made a tremendous impact on the lives of others.”

Cassandra was selected as the national Youth in Action Award winner from a pool of three other recipients who were recognized as Youth in Action Awards in other pillar areas: Serena Woodard of Oklahoma (Agriculture pillar winner); Sophia Rodriguez of California (Healthy Living pillar winner); and KyraLee Harry of New York (Citizenship pillar winner).  

The 4-H Youth In Action Awards, sponsored in part by HughesNet, began in 2010 to recognize 4-H’ers who have overcome challenges and used the knowledge they gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their community. “Cassandra’s dedication to serve others propelled her to being named this year’s National 4-H Youth in Action winner,” said Peter Gulla, senior vice president at Hughes. “Her enthusiasm for STEM education is infectious and we believe that as she continues to grow as a leader in her community, she will continue to inspire the next generation of leaders along the way.”

This award highlights youth in each of 4-H’s core areas of Agriculture, Citizenship, Healthy Living and STEM. These four pillars represent the fields in which 4-H youth excel on a national level and align with the mission mandates of National 4-H Council.

To learn more about Youth In Action and to view the other pillar winners from around the country, please visit https://4-h.org/https://4-h.org/