Undergraduate speech pathology and audiology student given opportunity speak with federal partner agencies at National 4-H Conference
West Liberty University (WLU) first-year speech pathology and audiology student, Stephanie Santilli, is selected to attend the national 4-H Conference taking place in Washington, DC, April 14-19.
According to National 4‑H Conference leaders, the program is considered the pinnacle experience in 4‑H Civic Engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead, and impact their communities, nation, and the world.
At the conference, delegates have the opportunity to participate in round table discussions and present to federal partner agencies, and to engage with their U.S. Senators and Representatives.
“I am so pleased to represent 4-H in Washington, DC. I am excited to meet other 4-H’ers from around the country and to see the differences between their programs and our programs,” commented Santilli.
A native of Philippi, West Virginia, Santilli received the award for Outstanding 4-H Youth Volunteer from the state of West Virginia in 2019. She has met with Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Joe Manchin, and Congressman David McKinley as she promoted her cause of securing additional research funding for pancreatic cancer after losing an uncle to the disease.
“I am not surprised in the least that Stephanie would be selected for such an honor. She works hard at everything she does. She is always eager to answer questions in class and is active in class discussions. I am so proud that she will be representing WV 4-H in Washington DC,” shared Santilli’s student advisor, Sara Alig, CCC-SLP, CDP, assistant professor of Speech Pathology and Audiology at WLU.
Santilli has been a 4-H member in Barbour County for the past 10 years and served as the Mountaineer 4-H Club president. She has won the statewide 4-H Visual Presentation Contest five times, state 4-H Poster Contest three times, and was selected as Outstanding 4-H’er in Barbour County twice.
Santilli plans on becoming a pediatric speech therapist after earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees at WLU.
Source: West Liberty University
Images: West Liberty University
