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.

Though only 33 words in length, the 4-H pledge means and says a great deal. It is recited at nearly every 4-H horse meeting across the country.

Photo: Nicholas Castle credits 4-H for horsemanship and skills in leadership, also for happiness.

The 4-H pledge states that I should think before I act, be loyal to my friends and family, give to others, and live to the best of my abilities. It is the motto of an organization that has helped me and thousands of others to not only become successful, but to become a better person.

Since the age of eight I have been actively involved with horse 4-H. I have served in numerous positions in my club ranging from president to treasurer. I have learned about being in a leadership position that I wouldn’t have otherwise. It gave me the opportunity to experience how preparedness and organization can mean the difference between a successful and an absolutely boring meeting. As part of the 4-H requirements, a member must present a demonstration to the rest of his group. Therefore, even if I had never held an office, I would have still received the important experience of speaking in front of people.

4-H helps horse skills

As well as learning the skill of lecture and public speaking, 4-H has helped me to become an able rider and somewhat proficient trainer of horses. Over the years I have picked up bits and pieces of information on how to become a skilled horseman. Through many books and lectures I have obtained a sizable knowledge about the care of horses, the symptoms of diseases and how much to feed as well as several other equestrian topics. However, most of my knowledge has come from hardlearned, hands-on experience. When dealing with things like colic (a sudden attack of gripping pain in the horse’s abdomen), the sudden appearance of a moose, or a horse who is absolutely petrified of plastic bags, I just had to know what to do then and there. Luckily, I had my mother with me, who already knew what I “just had to know” in most cases. 4-H and its many programs, such as 4-H camp, have helped me to become the more confident horseman that I am today.

One of the best aspects of 4-H is the friendships I have made. With people always coming and going through numerous clubs, it was nearly impossible for me to not meet someone new. When I went to 4-H camp, I was with many newly met friends and acquaintances, and I still keep in contact with some of them. Although meeting people is not what 4-H is all about, it is definitely one of the things that has kept me involved in the program.

At 15, experiencing one of life’s secrets

At 15 years old I have experienced only a fraction of what the world has to offer. I have not yet become wise like the old man or “successful” like the wealthy businessman. I am only the high school adolescent. However, I have experienced one of the most important secrets to life—happiness. Though 4-H was certainly not the sole factor in providing happiness, it has helped. I am certain that it will provide happiness in the future, whether it is through a scholarship or just looking back in the past and remembering days long ago.

Editor’s note: Nick Castle is a sophomore at Blackfoot High School. His essay was originally written for an English class assignment. A recently launched fundraising campaign (see Empowering Idaho's Youth) seeks to raise awareness and support for Nick and thousands of other youth throughout Idaho.