Hello, my name is Sedona Ashman, a recent graduate of Indian River High School in Delaware. I aspire to become a veterinarian in the future, or to get a job in animal science. This is my path of choice because I feel a strong passion for animals. 4H has played a major role in my adolescence, and I have been actively involved for 9 years. This program is where I found my spark for animals. I joined their Horse project in my first year and was soon obsessed. There is just something about these intricate animals, young me was fascinated to learn about how they work, how to care for them, and mostly, how to ride a horse. I dove deep into this new hobby, from trying out new competitions, to going to shows, and lots and lots of studying. The barn is my favorite place to be, whether im riding, giving a younger kid a lesson, or just bonding with the various animals. I’ve also enjoyed getting to learn and work with the other animals, like dogs, rabbits, goats, and pigs. I am excited to further study vet nursing in college, in order to dive deeper into how animals work. I hope that the classes will allow me the certification to attain a job that will ultimately better the lives of animals. Many people overlook the fact that animals too need healthcare, and to be treated correctly. Year after year many animals starve, are abandoned, or don’t receive the proper care and attention. By attaining a degree and a career with animals, I hope to do my part to combat these issues and raise awareness. I believe that empowerment should be something taught at a young age, so girls can grow into strong women for their society. 4H has given me many opportunities to mentor younger members, and I strive to help them accomplish their goals and always lend a hand. Many see me as their big sister; and I love encouraging them to try something new, go out of their comfort zone, and live to the fullest. I want the kids to know there is a support team there to back them in whatever they want to try. So often, girls are stereotyped as to what things they should enjoy. And at a young age, they don’t often realize thats it’s up to them to make that decision. And by the time they realize what they truly want to do, they might see it as “too late”. I love watching my younger members grow and develop into who they want to be, even if sometimes it was only just a phase. I strive to be a role model just as others were previously for me, and hope that they too will carry it on for years to come.

I grew up attending church as a kid, but it wasn't until I got older that I started truly understanding what it meant to be a Christian. The Word was often confusing to me, and it was hard for me to realize that even in the ups and downs, God never left my side. As I got older and challenges and hard times arose, I found it hard to stay rooted in the belief that God was still with me. Why wouldn't he help me make new friends? Why wouldn't he fix my friend's mental health? Couldn't he see I needed help? It became too easy for me to overthink or ignore the signs God was giving me. I focused too much on the inconveniences when I should have been more grateful that he had a reason behind it. Instead, I pushed away from religion, and it led to even more difficult times. It wasn't until about 2 years ago that I started regrowing in my faith with the help of a newfound friend. They were always willing to explain things to me, pray with me, and talk things out. Having someone there is what helped me get back into religion. Honestly, I can say that I would not be who I am today if it weren't for rediscovering my faith. It has given me a better perspective on life, knowing I can overcome any challenge. Faith is becoming a bigger part of my life every day. I have set goals to get more into the bible by doing devotionals, and staying consistent in reading something in the bible every day. I believe that one of my spiritual gifts is my passion for animals, and that is why I plan to study Veterinary Nursing in college. I hope to find faithful friends in college with whom I can spend time. Knowing that I am loved by God and that he has a plan for me encourages me to keep going, even on the hard days. I know God will continue working in my life throughout college and beyond, and I can’t wait to see what he has in store for me. My passion for animals is why I want to pursue a higher education. Joining a 4-H club sparked my interest in animals and has helped shape me into who I am today. My 4-H leader, Mrs.Dana, always encourages me to branch out and try new things, and I could not be more grateful for what she has done for me during my 8 years in 4-H. Through this program, I have gotten to work with many animals around the farm, mostly horses. I love going over to the farm whenever I can, to ride horses, work with them, or learn about them. I hope to make a difference in the lives of animals and show others how important they are.

My passion for animals began when I joined a local 4H club in 4th grade. Our club leader always pushed us to try new things, and I was encouraged to join their Horse Project. We started with only a small group of kids, but I could tell our leader had a passion for horses and teaching. It was the first time I had ever done something with horses and I was instantly obsessed. There’s something about simple interactions with those animals that would allow me to take a break and live in the moment. The barn quickly became my favorite place, where I felt at peace and like my true self. One of my biggest tasks was being put in charge of working with a young pony named Stormy. She was too small to ride, but she needed work with manners and basic tasks like being led, groomed, and bathed. The more I worked with Stormy the more she improved. She gained weight and became friendlier and calmer. I entered her in some horse shows in showmanship, halter, in-hand trail, and costume classes. And we won some! This upcoming spring, we plan to begin working with her to train her to be ridden, and I am beyond excited to see her potential. I have truly built a strong connection with this sweet pony. She often follows my car along the pasture fence when I leave, and is usually the first horse to come over and say hi. She watches me as I ride or work with other horses, almost like she is waiting patiently for her turn. Knowing I have helped with her progression inspires me to keep making a difference. Over the last 8 years, I have watched our program grow tremendously. Young kids with passions just like mine continue to join the club. And while I may have won prizes and ribbons from competitions and shows, ultimately I have won a deeper connection with my group. I have observed younger members learn and grow just as I once did. Assisting them in their journeys fills me with pride, knowing I am impacting these children's lives. I’ve made some of my closest friends through sharing a common passion for animals. We push each other to try new things, and we learn together. Animals can be unpredictable, and each one has its qualities and challenges. I’ve learned to welcome the challenge because I know that by having determination, I can work it out. There are still hard days when my patience and skill are tested, but I know I shouldn’t give up. Even though learning new things can be frustrating, the sense of accomplishment when you’ve found your way is far worth it. Over the past few years, I've truly loved my experiences with animals, which made it an easy decision to continue on this path for my future. This fall, I will be going to college to major in animal science and taking equine courses to continue riding and learning. Once I graduate I want to look into jobs in animal research or later pursue veterinary school. Watching the incredible impact animals have had on my life fills me with excitement as I look forward to studying them in college and exploring more opportunities to work closely with them. I hope that my efforts will make a positive difference in the lives of animals, and I can't wait to share my passion with others!