Orange County Center Staff Recognized at 2025 NCAE4-HYDP Annual Conference
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Collapse ▲Orange County was well represented at the 2025 North Carolina Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals’ Annual Conference held August 26-28 in Burlington. NCAE4-HYDP is the professional development association for individuals across North Carolina working in 4-H youth development roles in counties as well as regionally and statewide. The Association annually recognizes excellence through its awards program aligned with the National Association’s awards recognition program. This year, County Extension Director Jonathon Smith, 4-H Agent Sarah Maddry, and 4-H Program Assistant Kathleen Rogers were all recognized for exemplary performance and contributions in their professional work.
Kathleen Rogers joined Orange County in 2023 as the 4-H Program Assistant and reached 3756 youth in 2024 through her efforts with 4-H Health Rocks, Winged Wonders, camps, and special projects. She’s actively engaged with community partners across the County to leverage resources and meet the needs of youth and families. She received the 4-H Program Assistant of the Year Award.
Kathleen Rogers and STEAM 4-H Club leader Lin Wang received the Exhibit Award. This award recognized them for their participation in a local elementary school fair to support STEM education, tailored to a K-5 audience. Hands-on learning was promoted with the availability of STEM projects. The fair reached approximately 125 families, and 60 youth visited the 4-H display.
Kathleen, along with a statewide team of Ashley Brooks, Autumn Cano-Guin, Lauren Dail, Shea Ann DeJarnette, Katy Hawood, Toni Newby, Kathleen Rogers, Micah Sharpe, Crystal Starkes, Adreanna White, and Kait Neeland, received the Jim Kahler Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Award. The NC 4-H Sparks Coding Program began in 2024 through a partnership between Apple and North Carolina State University. The program serves eight counties, providing opportunities for youth to learn and build confidence and mastery in coding while applying coding knowledge to real-world situations. Equipped with resources from Apple, Kathleen and the 4-H program overall is conducting computer science programming across the County.
4-H Agent Sarah Maddry was recognized with the Achievement in Service Award. This award recognizes NAE4-HYDP members for significant accomplishments in various stages of a career and for contributions to the 4-H Youth Development profession. ASA recipients must have served more than 3 and less than 7 years in 4-H programs as of 2025. Sarah joined Extension in 2021 and is the current 4-H Agent in Orange. She served as the 4-H Agent previously in Alamance County from 2022 until February 2025. She is a true leader in our profession, serving in leadership roles within NCAE4-HYDP as well as a district teen council advisor. She has built a robust county shooting sports club, crafted impactful embryology and camping programs, and conducted interdisciplinary programs across multiple subject areas benefiting county youth.
She also received an award for Excellence in Natural Resources/Environmental Education. This was awarded in recognition of her efforts to bring environmental education to Alamance County residents. She partnered with local organizations to host a 3-day summer camp that focused on wildlife, forestry, water safety, and aquatic plants and animals. All campers became Hunter Education certified as a result of this camp.
Jonathon Smith, County Extension Director, served as the County 4-H Agent from November 2017 until January 2025 before transitioning to a new program area focused on food security. He received the Distinguished Service Award which recognizes significant accomplishments and contributions to the 4-H Youth Development profession. DSA recipients must have served 7 years or more in 4-H programs as of 2025. Under his leadership, Orange County 4-H reached new heights. He established an effective teen council program, helped to develop District and State officers, and had multiple 4-H youth inducted in to the NC 4-H Honor Club. Jonathon has served in numerous leadership positions within the Association. His dedication to 4-H is evident through the success of those he works with.