Effingham County 4-H’er Rebecca Velasquez, was selected as a member of the inaugural class and one of only seven National 4-H STEM Youth Ambassadors.  

Her role as a 4-H STEM Youth Ambassador is to work with National 4-H Council and Lockheed Martin leaders to solve local challenges, speak publicly about the program and advise on national priorities.  During this two-year term, she will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in the USA Science and Engineering Festival to build awareness of 4-H STEM

• Engage with the STEM Career Pathway and Lockheed Martin employee mentors.

• Advise National 4-H Council and Lockheed Martin on program and promotional tactics for sparking youth interest in STEM, particularly for reaching minority youth and girls

• Provide specific insight about tactics to help youth persist in all stages of the Pathway

• Receive training by Lockheed Martin engineers to teach Engineers in the Classroom to younger youth and maximize program reach among undeserved communities

• Represent 4-H in a positive light and serve as a youth voice for 4-H STEM

Velasquez’s 4-H Agent is Abby W. Smith and in Effingham County she is very involved in STEM related activities, public speaking, and leadership opportunities. The other STEM Youth Ambassadors serving with Velasquez come from Arkansas, Maryland, New York, Texas,and California.