Lake County 4-H Youths Shine Brightly

Eighth-year member Phenix Rain is the club’s incoming president. At this year’s Lake County Fair, she exhibited two market lambs and entered 49 still entries. Rain serves as teen leader in civic engagement, archery and countywide robotics. In public speaking, she earned gold at the 2025 4-H State Field Day at UC Davis for her talk, “How to Paint a Mural.” In STEM, Rain competed in the state field day robotics contest, winning gold. Rain also captured gold in the 4th Annual California 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament in which she participated in the archery postal shoot with a recurve bow without sights, scoring 175 points and earning top honors.

First-year 4-H member Shayla McGrath is the club’s incoming secretary. She serves as the teen leader for civic and leadership, taking on responsibilities that guide and inspire fellow members. At this year’s Lake County Fair, she showcased goats and poultry, demonstrating her commitment to animal husbandry and project work. She also excelled in archery, competing in the senior division of the State Archery Postal Shoot. Using a recurve bow without sights, McGrath earned bronze. As she steps into the secretary position, McGrath brings dedication and enthusiasm to her new leadership role, continuing to build her future in 4-H.

17-year-old Saphera Edwards, now in her second year of 4-H, is gaining recognition for her accomplishments in livestock and public speaking. Edwards raises livestock for food and took part in this year’s Lake County Presentation Day, where she advanced through regionals to compete at the 2025 State Field Day. Edwards competed in the Demonstration and Illustrated Talk category, earning gold for her presentation, “How to Make Yeast Bread.” Her dedication to both livestock and leadership through public speaking reflects her growing role in 4-H.

Eighth-year member Emmy Hayes showcased two lambs, chickens and horseback riding at this year’s Lake County Fair. She earned silver at the 4th Annual California 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament and gold at the 2025 State Field Day in the Demonstration and Illustrated Talk category at UC Davis for “Wreaths Across America.” Hayes delivered her award-winning presentation during the Board meeting. Honoring her veteran great-grandfather, she has participated in Wreaths Across America for seven years. She hopes to one day join the Air Force or Army.

Rain, Edwards and Hayes each earned the prestigious 4-H Presentation Pin by presenting at five non-4-H community groups.

Patrons can order online from “Wreaths Across America,” and the company delivers wreaths to cemeteries. This year, the ceremony will be held at Lower Lake Cemetery on December 13, where the 4-H youths will place wreaths on veteran graves. The club receives a percentage as a fundraiser.

Chair and District 3 Supervisor Eddie Crandell reflected on Hayes’s presentation: “Sometimes, there’s no family left to honor veterans. You help keep those traditions alive—laying wreaths, raising flags. You make a difference.”

Supervisor Pyska addressed the youths: “A community is only as strong as those who volunteer. You are our future leaders.”

District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier commented, “You are a prime example of what our youth is doing and that we have a bright future ahead of us.” Vice Chair and District 4 Supervisor Brad Rasmussen thanked the four youths for setting a strong example.

District 1 Supervisor Helen Owen said, “4-H builds lifelong skills—from agriculture and science to arts and leadership. You are our future. We thank your families and volunteers.”

Jean Goulart shared the youths are working toward attending the 2026 Ignite National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. To support their fundraising, contact the Lake County 4-H office at jgoulart@ucanr.edu or 707-494-8893.

To watch the presentation, click here.