During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world came to a standstill, 4-H opened the door for me to rise. While schools and programs paused, 4-H empowered me to expand my wings beyond borders starting with a small initiative teaching Python to my local 4-H club youth.
That small spark grew into a wildfire of inspiration: I ended up teaching 900+ youth across counties, training senior 4-H members, 4-H Project leaders and 4-H educators and sharing scalable tech education strategies for rural youth. This was not just coding it was community-building through STEM.
“Where’s the Food?”: My Passion Project
While seeking more ways to blend my STEM passion with community action, I found the National 4-H GIS/GPS Leadership Team and became the first and only 4-H youth from California elected to join the national team in 2021 to help fight food insecurity on a global scale.
Our main mission is to address food insecurity by mapping solutions. That’s when I launched the “Where’s the Food?” initiative in Contra Costa County, California, using GIS to identify food deserts and places where food assistance is accepted. I worked with local leaders the City Council, Sheriff's Department, and Food Bank to interview, gather insights, and co-create strategies.
I even got to present my findings and interactive food map at the Global ESRI Conference in San Diego to a larger audience, showing how data can drive equity.
White House Recognition & National Spotlight
For this project, I was invited to the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health as a recognized changemaker. I participated virtually, joining national conversations and strategizing solutions to implement back home. I was also featured by the CDC Foundation as a youth fighting hunger on their official site CDC Hunger Changemakers.
And my 4-H journey came full circle when I was invited to present at the UC ANR Statewide 4-H Town Hall, sharing my map and vision with 200+ 4-H leaders across California in 2022.
AI for Advocacy
As I dove deeper into STEM, I explored Artificial Intelligence for Social Good chaining to fight food insecurity. Under the mentorship of Professor Dr. Ganesh Mani, Carnegie Mellon University, I published a research paper on "Food Insecurity Sentiment Analysis using Deep Learning." By training models on global tweets, I mapped where food insecurity was felt most highlighting patterns in countries like the U.S. and India.
This was my way of asking: how do people feel about their food access and how can we act before it is too late?
The Next Chapter: Serving, Mentoring, and Innovating in College
In 2023, I was accepted into top public and private universities across the nation through a deeply mission-driven college application process, ultimately choosing Harvey Mudd College to pursue a B.S. in Computer Science, one of the most prestigious STEM institutions in the country. During my freshman year, I had the opportunity to present my research internationally in Germany, engaging with global scholars and educators. I discovered a deep passion for Computer Vision and, since January 2025, have been conducting research under the mentorship of a faculty member in the Department of Engineering. In parallel, I continue to serve as an Adult Volunteer for the National 4-H GIS/GPS Leadership Team, leading national recruitment efforts and mentoring youth in STEM. I also reviewed and provided expert feedback on a 4-H Drone Curriculum developed by Dr. Steven Worker, a longtime mentor and leader in 4-H STEM education. My commitment to mentoring California 4-H youth remains strong, as I support local clubs through curriculum design, coaching, and hands-on STEM learning opportunities in areas such as GIS, Python, and Artificial Intelligence. I am proud to be living proof that 4-H leadership does not end after high school it evolves and deepens with purpose.
From Project Books to Powerful Purpose
From teaching Python in my living room during lockdown to being recognized by the White House, 4-H shaped every step of the way. It taught me not just skills but purpose, empathy, leadership, and the courage to serve.
Today I am proud to say I am not just ready; I am beyond ready.
Always find your passion! Build your path! Give it back to the community!
With Deepest Gratitude to My 4-H Mentors
I am incredibly grateful to all the mentors who have guided, encouraged, and believed in me throughout my 4-H journey both in California and National 4-H GIS/GPS Leadership. Your support has shaped my leadership, fueled my passion for STEM, and empowered me to grow as a changemaker.
California 4-H Mentors
- Ms. Briana Fardnen – My Tassajara 4-H Club Leader and mentor, who has been with me every step of the way since 2019.
- Ms. Brenda C. Vales – My inspiring county leader.
- Dr. Charles Go – The STEM mentor who believed in me back in 2019 and supported my selection to the National 4-H Conference in January 2020.
- Dr. Steven Worker – My STEM mentor, who expanded my curiosity into impact.
- Ms. Evelyn Rumsby – My STEM mentor who helped me scale my project across multiple counties and connect with educators and project leaders to bring STEM to their clubs.
- Ms. Ana Torres – My mentor who guided me in bringing workshops to 4-H counties beyond my own during COVID-19.
National 4-H Mentors - Mr. Tom Tate, Mr. Austin Ramsey, Dr. Thomas Ray, and Ms. Fran Harvey: Thank you for consistently encouraging and motivating me to go above and beyond. Your belief in my potential has meant the world to me.
Thank you to everyone in 4-H for being part of my journey and today I carry all your wisdom and support with me as I continue to grow and give back to my community!
