The YIA Awards honor four 4-H’ers who have gained critical life skills through their 4-H experience and have utilized those skills to overcome a challenge, or challenges, they have faced. Each of the honorees are outstanding 4-H’ers who epitomize 4-H youth empowerment and leadership.

In addition, the winners have demonstrated the positive impact they’ve made with their family, peers and community through their 4-H experiences.

The 2016 awards will expand to highlight youth in each of our core areas. Through a formal selection process, one awardee will be chosen within each pillar area:

• Youth in Action: Agriculture and Animal Sciences
• Youth in Action: Citizenship
• Youth in Action: Healthy Living
• Youth in Action: STEM

One overall national Youth in Action Award 2016 winner will be selected from the four pillar winners.

The YIA Awards are presented at National 4-H Council’s Legacy Awards. The 7th annual Legacy Awards will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, in Washington D.C.

Each YIA pillar winner will also receive a $5,000 scholarship for higher education, be featured as the 4-H Youth Spokesperson for their pillar area and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to be recognized at National 4-H Council's Legacy Awards. A $5,000 grant will be made to the awardees’ 4-H County as well.

Download the 2016 4-H Youth in Action Awards social media toolkit.

Watch the webinar to learn more about the 2016 Youth in Action scholarship and application process. Length: 37 minutes. Watch now.

Youth in Action applicants should possess the following qualifications:

• Applicants should be a 4-H member or recent alumni within the United States, ages 16-21.
• Applicants should represent the passions of 4-H youth nationwide, demonstrate outstanding leadership, showcase the essence of 4-H positivity and possess a proven ability to engage others.
• Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
  • Personal Impact: How 4-H personally impacted their life and developed them as a True Leader;
  • Community Impact: How 4-H has empowered them to positively impact family, peers and community; and
  • Project Excellence: How they have demonstrated excellence in a 4-H project.
   
• Applicants should be able to self-select their pillar area between the four options: Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Citizenship, Healthy Living and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).