Eighteen Iowa 4-H’ers have been selected to represent Iowa as delegates to the 2015 National 4-H Congress Nov. 27 through Dec. 1 in Atlanta, Ga. The theme for this 94th year of National 4-H Congress is “Excite, Spark, Ignite.”

Benton County 4-H’er Nicole Lowe, Dysart, is the daughter of Tom and Teresa Lowe. A nine-year member of 4-H, Lowe has been involved in the mechanics, sewing, clothing and fashion, photography and home improvement project areas. She has served as secretary, treasurer, reporter and vice president of her 4-H club. Lowe has participated in her county 4-H council, Citizenship-Washington Focus and Iowa 4-H Youth Conference.

“4-H has helped me develop leadership, cooperation and communication skills,” said Lowe. “I hope to see so many more youth become as passionate about 4-H as I am and better themselves through it.”

National 4-H Congress recognizes the delegates’ outstanding leadership and community work and is an opportunity for leaders in 4-H to meet and learn from each other. Congress will include keynote speakers, tours of Atlanta, service work around the city, workshops and an international banquet and formal gala.

“This is one of the highest recognition opportunities for senior 4-H’ers in Iowa,” said Cayla Taylor, campus 4-H youth program coordinator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “These youth were selected because they have demonstrated exceptional skills in leadership, citizenship and overall achievement.”

Major donors through the Iowa 4-H Foundation sponsoring the youth delegates’ trip to the National 4-H Congress include the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Grinnell Mutual Insurance, Iowa Pork Producers Association and Anne Oldham.

The Iowa delegates are from Adair, Benton, Boone, Calhoun, Cerro Gordo, Iowa, Johnson, Story, Van Buren, Warren and Worth counties.

Annette Brown and Jeff Macomber, regional 4-H youth program specialists, will serve as the delegates’ chaperones.