More than 100 Oklahoma 4-H’ers got an inside look at state government during the 26th annual 4-H Day at the Capitol on April 23 in Oklahoma City.

Dorothy Wilson, state 4-H program leader at Langston University, said the day provided a wonderful opportunity for participants to meet with their legislators and experience the Oklahoma Capitol building. Ella Allen represented Seminole County at the state Capitol. “Visiting the Capitol and seeing our legislators at work was a great experience,” Allen said. “There aren’t very many youth in our state who have this kind of opportunity to sit down and have their senator’s or representative’s full attention. It was an experience I won’t forget.”

A resolution declaring April 23 as 4-H Day at the Capitol was read in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Bridger Arrington, president of the 4-H leadership council, and Jayla Wilson, Langston 4-H member, addressed state leaders on the House and Senate floors.

Highlights of the day included a photo opportunity with Gov. Kevin Stitt, guest speakers Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, Sen. Warren Hamilton, Rep. Judd Strom and Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, as well as a Q&A with three interns who work in the Capitol and are 4-H alumni.

“There’s nothing better than getting to visit with the great, successful, hard-working students from our districts and getting to see them come in from all across the state,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert. “It’s a great opportunity not only for those of us who are very familiar with 4-H to reconnect with our constituents, but also for members who aren’t as familiar with 4-H.”

Club members had lunch with their respective senators and representatives and shared personal stories of 4-H and the positive impact the 4-H Youth Development program is making in all 77 counties.

“We often talk about the future of the state of Oklahoma, which these students certainly are, but they’re also the present because they’re doing a lot of amazing things all across the state,” Hilbert said.

Emily Hamilton is the

4-H Youth Development Educator for Seminole and Hughes County.