Boardman 4-H Athletes Score Big with Community Service

While the Friday night lights shine on our high school teams, another group of young competitors in Boardman is building championship character through service. The local 4-H program, a powerhouse for developing life skills, is seeing its members apply the discipline of sports to community betterment.

“The teamwork, dedication, and goal-setting we learn in shooting sports, livestock judging, or even at the horse arena directly translate to community projects,” says longtime Morrow County 4-H leader, Sarah Jensen. “These kids aren’t just training for the fair; they’re training to be leaders right here on the Columbia River.”

This past month, a crew of 4-H’ers traded cleats and gloves for work gloves, assisting with a cleanup at Boardman’s Marina Park. Another group organized a sports equipment drive, collecting gently used gear to be distributed to local families, ensuring every kid has a chance to play. Their projects embody the 4-H motto: “To make the best better.”

For parents like Mark Ruiz, whose son is in both 4-H and junior high football, the connection is clear. “The poise he learns showing a steer helps him handle pressure on the field. And the requirement to give back through 4-H teaches him that being part of a team—whether it’s a football team or the team of our community—means looking out for each other.”

As our local sports seasons cycle through, the work of Boardman’s 4-H athletes continues year-round. They’re proving that the most valuable wins often happen off the field, strengthening the fabric of our rural community one service project at a time.