The 4-H Pledge: "I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service and my Health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world."
March brings plenty of reasons to celebrate with holidays such as St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and Women's History Month. I wanted to highlight Women's History Month and International Women's Day on happening on March 8 by acknowledging a tremendous feat by a young woman who is a high school junior from Iberia Parish.
The National Conference Delegation also known as the National 4-H Conference offers students in local 4H programs around the country the opportunity to participate in the national conference held each year in Arlington, VA, just outside of our nation's capital. Qualifying students must be in grades 10th or 11th, active in their local chapters, and between the ages of 15 and 19.
This year Louisiana had four students selected to attend after the rigorous interview and application process. The four selected for the 2024 - 2025 National 4-H Conference Delegates from Louisiana are:
- Dayton Pennington, Avoyelles Parish
- Faith Richard, Natchitoches Parish
- Andrew Chevallier, Winn Parish
- Mikayla Barletto, Iberia Parish
The student selected to represent Iberia Parish 4-H ... (proud momma moment) also happens to be my daughter. This is the first time in the history of the Iberia Parish 4-H program, which was founded in 1994, that a student from our area has been selected.
 Image via Iberia Parish 4-H |
This conference is geared for students who are passionate about 4-H, but also for those looking to make a difference in their community. During this conference, attendees will get to see the nation's capital, travel through Washington D.C., meet official and federal officers such as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and visit the different states in the country through the members representing it. It is certainly the opportunity of a lifetime!
According to the National 4-H Conference website, "The National 4‑H Conference logic model consists stems from the Citizenship Mission Mandate logic models. National 4‑H Conference is specifically focused on civic engagement, civic education, and personal development. Delegates arrive at the National 4‑H Conference Center ready to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, their nation and their world."
After our initial shock and excitement of finding out that Mikayla had been selected this year, we sat down and chatted about the 4-H program, the opportunities this will bring to her, and what it's been like for her to be a part of her local chapter for the last six years.
 Mikayla Barletto with Alex Worstell promoting the Winter Wonderland Dance in Iberia Parish on News 15November 2023 Image by Tracie Ysaguire |
What can you tell us about your 4-H experience in the Iberia Parish program?
Mikayla: I have been a member of the Iberia Parish 4-H program for almost 6 years. Ever since joining, I have had success after success doing things in our community and personally. Being in this program has taught me so much. Starting from becoming President for my local homeschool 4-H club, HOTT, for Iberia Parish, to joining the State Citizenship Board, placing 2nd in the state for Public Speaking at 4-H University, and lastly becoming Parish President of the Iberia Parish Junior Leaders. You could say I have truly journeyed through this organization.
l have also struggled with staying active in my program and even thought about quitting a few times. The last couple of years have been difficult on me personally, however I have felt myself maturing more and learning from having to deal with difficult things. Putting things in perspective, my involvement with the Iberia Parish 4-H program has given me the opportunity to learn about conflict management too.
What was the application and interview process like for the National Delegate selection?
Mikayla: The registration was the easiest part! Each student completes four essay questions asking you about your involvement in your community, as well as in 4-H. After you submit your application it is reviewed and scored and whoever has the minimum/average of 55 points will be selected for the next step which is the interview process. The interview lasts roughly about 10-15 minutes but it seemed like the longest 10 to 15 minutes of my life! The interview consists of a series of questions with 2 to 4 judges virtually. After all of the delegates have been interviewed, the ones who score the highest, (total possible is 30) are the ones selected to represent Louisiana at the National 4-H Conference.
I want to also let everyone know that I applied for National Conference Delegate (NCD) last year, and unfortunately didn’t make it. My overall score wasn’t bad, 9/10, 10/10, but it always is that one score that affects the outcome of everything, and that was my 5/10. Reading the feedback that the judges gave me really helped me plan for the next time I applied for this opportunity. Making sure my phrases made sense, being more confident and more self-aware. These are tools that I will use in everyday life and I consistently worked to improve on in hopes of being selected for this program.
I remember being really upset that I didn’t make it, and kept staring at that 5/10 score wishing I would have fixed the small mistakes I made. Then, traveling through the rest of 2023, I now realize why I hadn’t been selected to serve for the 2023-2024 year: I wasn’t ready. In my heart and in my mind I was convinced that I was, but I realize now, knowing what I went through and what I had to go through during that year, I wouldn’t have been able to complete my duties as a National Conference Delegate.
What is one thing you would say to another high school student interested in applying to be a National Conference Delegate?
Mikayla: I would tell anyone else interested in applying for this opportunity to practice your interview meetings on repeat, dig deep down, and don't give up on yourself. I know what I am capable of even in the hardest moments of my life. But deep down, I knew that I wanted this opportunity. So, I studied and practiced with myself on the small things that I needed to fix and hyped myself up by playing Karma by Taylor Swift on repeat.
Left: Patrice Cahee, Assistant 4-H Agent Middle: Mikakla Barletto, Iberia Parish 4-H Junior Leader President Right: Lexie LaGrone, Assistant 4-H Agent Image by Tracie Ysaguire May 2023 Awards Ceremony |  Mikayla with her friend, Aubrey at 4-H University at LSU when she placed 2nd for Public Speaking Image by Charlene Picehloup June 2022 |
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about being part of the Iberia Parish 4-H program?
Mikayla: I would like to thank our Iberia Parish agents, Ms. Patrice Cahee and Ms. Lexie LaGrone, for all of their support. I want to give a huge shout out to one in particular, Ms. Patrice Cahee who has been in my corner since I first walked into the Iberia Parish extension office over six years ago. From the beginning and through the tough times Ms. Patrice has been the steady foundation that I needed to get me to where I am today. From the first day of me walking into my first Junior Leader Meeting and her face being the first one that I saw greeting me at the front door, I knew that she was going to mean something to me. She has had my back, and held my hand guiding me where I needed to be and making sure that I got what I needed to get there. This opportunity wouldn’t have even been possible for me if she wasn’t my mentor. I am in eternal gratitude and respect for this amazing woman, and love her just as much.
Interested in getting involved a volunteer or enrolling your children in Iberia Parish 4H? There is always room for more members!
You can get more information from your child's school or contact the office directly:
Iberia Parish 4-H Extension Office
415 Providence Street, New Iberia, LA
Phone: 337-369-4440
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