V. Todd Miller | LSU AgCenter

The motto of Washington-Marion Magnet High in Lake Charles is “Forward. Onward. Upward.” And that is precisely how sophomore Armund Wilson lives his life.

Wilson’s infectious optimism has helped grow 4-H — an organization he once didn’t know much about — in his high school, his community and even nationally.

Wilson, 16, remembers participating in farm-focused 4-H activities during his time in elementary school. It wasn’t until later that he realized 4-H had more to offer. His principal, Crystal Bowie, a former LSU AgCenter 4-H agent in Rapides Parish, saw Wilson’s leadership abilities and eagerness to make a difference and suggested he seek out more knowledge about the organization.

“I always thought it was all about animals,” Wilson said. “The old joke was that it’s just ‘sows, cows and plows,’ but I learned it was so much more than that.”

Lanette G. Hebert, 4-H coordinator for the AgCenter Southwest Region, has watched Wilson blossom over time. She said he goes above and beyond in promoting the organization to his peers.

“Armund initially may not have been familiar with the program,” she said. “But when he dug a little deeper, he fell in love with it. He promotes it on his social media as well as hosting Facebook Live with 4-H members from other states.”

Wilson said he also created an Instagram account called “My 4-H Journey.” Through these types of social media and local efforts, he was invited to present at 4-H Congress on the campus of North Carolina State University.

“I was documenting myself and my peers’ journeys in 4-H and through that connected with a state engagement officer over there and they invited a few of us up,” he said. “It was like we were one big family.”

Wilson, who hopes to one day be a school superintendent, said one way he dispels antiquated notions of 4-H to friends is by first asking them what they like to do.

“Do you like gaming? We have esports. Do you like fashion? There are fashion shows,” he said. “I try to bring it home to them that there’s something for everyone because the best way to lead is by example.”

Wilson said students at his high school face a lot of adversity. One of his most meaningful personal accomplishments, he said, was the time he connected a young man who had a troubled past with a 4-H agent who worked with the youth to get his grade point average up so he could apply for college.

“He said, ‘I don’t think I’m going to college. My GPA is bad,’” Wilson said. “I asked the agent if they could help him out, and he eventually applied to our local college and got in. I feel that even little things you do in your community can change things for the better and maybe have a snowball effect.”

Brennan Uzee, AgCenter 4-H agent in Calcasieu Parish, praised the rate of growth in the program at Washington-Marion, giving Wilson and his peers much of the credit.

“Ultimately, our biggest thing is to reach these students where they are and help them become productive members of society and meet the needs of their community,” Uzee said. “Since Armund has been presenting the program to his peers at his high school, participation has almost doubled.”

Carrie Lane, a fellow AgCenter 4-H agent in Calcasieu Parish, echoed Uzee’s sentiments, saying that Wilson’s down-to-earth demeanor and relatability makes him the perfect advocate for 4-H.

“He’s a naturally encouraging person and brings an undeniable energy to any room he’s in, and I think his peers see and appreciate that,” she said. “He’s just a shining light.”

For his part, Wilson remains humble and wants to continue to expose peers to the sense of community and potential lifetime friendships that 4-H provides to diverse youth who may not have otherwise met or interacted together.

“4-H has changed my life forever,” Wilson said. “I’m forever in debt to the organization and how it continues to shape me as a person and as a student leader.”