Cape May County 4-Her One of Four to Represent NJ at National Healthy Living Summit

COURT HOUSE — Cape May County 4-H member Victoria Matt joined other New Jersey 4-H teens to represent New Jersey at the National Youth Summit on Healthy Living held Feb. 12 to 15 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center located in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The purpose of the summit was to provide high school youth with an opportunity to learn about and develop the knowledge and skills to address today’s issues including nutrition, education, physical fitness, wellness, and emotional well-being. Delegates discussed how they would share what they learned at the Healthy Living Youth Summit and created action plans to implement in their communities.
New Jersey delegates attending the summit included Michael Newton, Jr. (Burlington County), Victoria Matt (Cape May County), Amanda Erbe (Ocean County), and McKayla Tyrrell (Monmouth County).
Victoria Matt of Ocean City is a youth member of the Communateens Cape May County 4-H Club. She has a strong interest in wellness and nutrition and also, is active in the New Jersey Pageant system.
The chaperones for the New Jersey delegation were Kenny Faillace, Passaic County 4-H Community Assistant and Kalin Axelsson, a 4-H Volunteer from Cape May County. Axelsson is the organizational leader of the Communateens 4-H Club, a teen club with a focus on healthy living and the environment, teen leadership and community service. Axelsson said, “The Healthy Living Summit in Washington DC was a wonderful opportunity to learn about nutrition, exercise, and other important behavior changing strategies from 4-H groups across the country.” She added, “Our goal is to take this information and educate the youth of Cape May County. Victoria Matt did an amazing job not only representing the county, but the state as well. We both are looking forward to attending next year!”
Linda Horner, Cape May County 4-H Program Coordinator, said, “Attending a National Summit is a wonderful learning experience for a 4-H member and we are very proud that Victoria was selected from Cape May County to represent the state at this summit.” Horner concluded, “Having Kalin attend as a chaperone was also a plus since she leads local teens throughout the year in the Communateens 4-H Club encouraging them to live a healthy lifestyle and be a positive part of the community.”
The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station – Cooperative Extension. 4-H offers educational programs to all youth, grades K-13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
For more information about 4-H opportunities for youth, visit www.cmc4h.com or call 465-5115, ext. 606.