Brandon Pierce (right)

Virginia 4-H attracts children and teens from many backgrounds, both rural and urban, and offers them a variety of experiences with caring adults to develop their life skills. According to Cathy Sutphin, Virginia 4-H associate director, studies show that 4-H members do better in school, are more motivated to help others, feel safe to try new things, achieve a sense of self-esteem, and develop lasting relationships. “4-H’ers are able to transfer their successes with 4-H to other parts of their lives,” says Sutphin.

Mary Catherine “M.C.” McGinn of Henry County was following in the footsteps of her mother and aunt when as a fourth-grader she got involved in canoeing, horsemanship, performing arts, and swimming at the Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Educational Center. Now a graduate student studying physiology at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine, McGinn continues to spend summers at the center, where she has taught performing arts, a challenge course, and the counselor-in-training program. Read the full story in Solutions.