The Fourth H

My name is Cameron Sanford. I am from Crockett County in the Western Region of Tennessee. I am 17 and am currently a senior at Crockett County High School. I have an older sister and a beautiful little niece. I have lived in Tennessee most of my life. One of my biggest passions other than 4-H is photography! I am a very outgoing person, and not afraid to express my opinion.

I have been involved with 4-H like most youth since the 4th grade. It was not till the 6th grade that I knew my heart was 100% green! The opportunity came up for someone to be the June Dairy Month Chairman for my county. That is how I made my mark in 4-H! After being the Chairman I wanted to do more. Eager to be a leader I ran that upcoming August for The Photographer position in Honor Club. It was an awesome experience! After two years of being the photographer I knew I wanted to do more. In those two years, I met many amazing people that have helped me every step of the way! My 4-H agent and another very successful 4-H member that became to be my mentor. My third year in 4-H I ran for Vice President and got it! I was super excited and nervous at the same time. Now I serve as the President of our Honor Club, Deputy Chief (Vice President) in the Western Region All Stars, and former Deputy Chief for the Tennessee 4-H All Stars. I have been super blessed with all the amazing opportunities I have had in 4-H!

Also, during the past almost 5 years I have been dedicated to Healthier Living! Starting 4-H I was about 5”10 and almost 200 pounds! I knew I was on an unhealthy path and wanted to change! Now, I am 6”2 and 140 pounds! I can honestly say I do not know where I would be without 4-H in my life!

Currently, I serve as one of the National Healthy Living Youth Ambassadors for National 4-H Council. I specialize in Bullying Prevention, Physical Fitness, and Nutrition. Allie Lansman from Iowa is our amazing nutrition expert that has taught me so much! It has been a little over a year since I took this blind step into a new leadership position. The Healthy Living Ambassador position will be open to anyone in 4-H that has a passion for Healthy Living. It is hard to put into words how AWESOME this position is! Just to help, I am currently on a Delta flight and on my way to Los Angeles, California for a Red Carpet event. The National 4-H Council is a partner with the Great American NO BULL Challenge. The present a video contest each year for youth that are passionate about stoping bullying. I have worked with the organization for the past few years. Crockett County 4-H group (my local 4-H club) submitted two videos and both were selected to be presented at the awards.

That is just one of the amazing opportunities that we have had. I could talk about when the ambassadors went to California to work with the Biggest Loser on the Riding It Forward Campaign, or when we were the leaders at the National Healthy Living Summit in D.C. I can honestly say as a 17 year old from small town Tennessee that I have been fortunate enough to work with a beyond amazing youth development organization called 4-H! Devoted to service to help their community, their country, and their world!

I encourage ANYONE that has thought about applying for the ambassador position to please be on the lookout for the application and apply! When I applied I though to myself “they will never pick someone like me because I don't have a lot of leadership experience, they will never pick someone from the rural south, etc.” But, they did and we have GREAT ambassadors all over. A very good friend of mine Oakley G. Perry is from the great state of Georgia. Laura Meany is from Minnesota, Tristian Chester is from California, Allie Lansman is from Iowa, and Ru Ekanayake is from California as well. We are a very diverse group of young adults that bring so much to the table!

If you guys ever need anything or want additional information about the Ambassador position, healthy living information, or anything about 4-H please do not hesitate to contact me! My contact information will be at the bottom.

I want to thank any and all 4-H Members in the United States for their dedicated work to this amazing organization! I also want to say a big THANK YOU to the local Extension workers and state 4-H Staff for their unending support and dedication to helping the members to be the best that they can be! Lastly, I want to thank the staff at the National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters for all of their work as well! If it wasn't for Mrs. Joanne Leatherman the ambassadors would have not been as successful as we have been.

Thank you!

-Cameron Sanford

National Healthy Living Youth Ambassador

Email: ccsanford2016@gmail.com