Nicole Cash of
Farmington receives $5,000 scholarship, sponsored by HughesNet®, and
serves as 4-H national youth spokesperson for STEM for 2023
CHEVY
CHASE, Md., Nov. 15,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National 4-H Council
today announced that Nicole Cash,
20, of Farmington, Minn. was named
winner of the 2023 4-H Youth in Action Award for STEM sponsored
by HughesNet. Cash will be recognized nationally for her
leadership applying science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM) skills to improve people's lives, which began when she led
her robotics team in developing a modified Power Wheels ride-on car
for a toddler unable to walk. This inspired Cash to help her high
school robotics team launch their own chapter of child mobility
project GoBabyGo!, build more devices and create online resources
for others to create even more.
Launched in 2010, the 4-H Youth in Action Awards, sponsored in
part by HughesNet, recognize 4-H'ers who have applied the knowledge
gained in 4-H to create a lasting impact in their communities while
overcoming personal obstacles.
As a national winner, Cash will experience an exciting year of
telling her 4‑H story, inspiring other youth and celebrating her
leadership. She also receives a $5,000 higher education scholarship and
opportunities to showcase her story nationally, network with
prominent 4-H alumni and HughesNet executives, and serve as the
official 4‑H youth spokesperson for STEM.
"4-H gave me the confidence to develop and hone my leadership
skills, allowing me to spearhead the creation of something that
really makes a difference," said Nicole
Cash, Youth in Action Award Winner, STEM. "My experience in
4-H inspired me to help my team start their own chapter so robotics
teams can make similar devices that solve issues that impact their
communities."
Working with her Minnesota Extension 4-H club, Cash found a
passion for teaching and the outdoors, as well as acceptance as an
LGBTQ youth. Her involvement in 4-H equipped Cash with the
confidence and skills to lead her robotics team, known as "Rogue,"
to create an affordable, custom mobility device for a toddler out
of a Power Wheels car. She then helped the team launch their own
chapter of child mobility project GoBabyGo!, the first in the
Midwest, and organized workshops and resources for other robotics
teams – yielding 27 of the devices nationwide so far.
"Nicole made significant contributions to supporting the
independence of youth with disabilities through robotics and
engineering. She exemplifies what it means to be a steward of STEM
and a pillar in her community," said Peter
Gulla, senior vice president, Hughes. "Enabling internet
access for people everywhere is a core tenant of our mission at
Hughes. We are thrilled to recognize Nicole for her achievements in
ensuring children of all abilities can live more accessible
lives."
Cash is one of four 2023 4-H Youth in Action Award Pillar
Winners, including Matias Habib
of Illinois (Agriculture),
Norah Carter of Pennsylvania (Healthy Living), and
Sruthi Sudarsan of California (Civic Engagement). The
announcement was made during National 4-H Week, held October 2–8 to
celebrate and showcase the opportunities and impact that 4‑H offers
young people across the country.
"We are proud to honor our 2023 Youth in Action winners, a group
of exceptional young people who have overcome obstacles and made an
incredible impact on their communities through Cooperative
Extension's 4-H programs," said Jennifer
Sirangelo, president & CEO, National 4-H Council.
"By empowering these stand-out youth and fostering their skills to
make change, they in turn can inspire thousands of other young
people wanting to make a difference. When given the tools they need
to lead, 4-H'ers like Matias, Sruthi, Norah and Nicole are becoming
the next generation of changemakers in their communities and for
our country."
Cash is majoring in Ecology and Outdoor Recreation at
Northern Michigan University and hopes
to pursue a career as a conservation naturalist.
To learn more about the 4-H Youth in Action Awards sponsored by
HughesNet, and to view the other pillar winners from around the
country, head to 4-H's website: www.4-h.org/youthinaction.
ABOUT 4-H
4-H, the nation's largest youth development organization, grows
confident young people who are empowered for life today and
prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six
million young people across the U.S. through experiences that
develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program
of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and serves
every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public
universities and more than 3,000 local Extension offices. Globally,
4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million
youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows
young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their
communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two
times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely
to participate in STEM programs.
Learn more about 4‑H at 4-H.org and follow us on Facebook,
Instagram, and Twitter.
About Hughes Network
Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), an innovator in satellite
and multi-transport technologies and networks for 50 years,
provides broadband equipment and services; managed services
featuring smart, software-defined networking; and end-to-end
network operation for millions of consumers, businesses,
governments and communities worldwide. The Hughes flagship Internet
service, HughesNet®, connects millions of people across the
Americas, and the Hughes JUPITER™ System powers Internet access for
tens of millions more worldwide. Hughes supplies more than half the
global satellite terminal market to leading satellite operators,
in-flight service providers, mobile network operators and military
customers. A managed network services provider, Hughes supports
nearly 500,000 enterprise sites with its HughesON™ portfolio of
wired and wireless solutions. Headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes is owned by
EchoStar. To learn more, visit www.hughes.com or follow
HughesConnects on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a premier global provider
of satellite communication solutions. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and conducting business
around the globe, EchoStar is a pioneer in secure communications
technologies through its Hughes Network Systems and EchoStar
Satellite Services business segments. For more information, visit
echostar.com. Follow @EchoStar on Twitter.
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SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC