Montgomery County 4‑H participant Elijah Fowler highlights civic engagement; named NCACC youth delegate

Elijah Fowler, a Montgomery County 4‑H participant and an incoming North Carolina State University student, told the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners at its July meeting that his 4‑H experience helped shape his leadership and public‑speaking skills and opened college and career opportunities.

Anna Hamilton of the county Crawford Extension office introduced Fowler and said he participated in the Youth Leadership Montgomery program, which included visits to town and school board meetings and the state legislature. "He cares a lot about government," Hamilton said.

Fowler described a series of 4‑H activities that taught responsibility and confidence, including showing turkeys at the North Carolina State Fair and participating in district and state presentations. "4‑H has given back to me enormously, and it has helped shaped me into who I am today," Fowler said. He credited the program with helping his college applications and scholarship efforts.

Board members praised Fowler. The board noted Fowler will serve as the youth delegate at the upcoming North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) conference. Chairman (name not specified) told Fowler, "You've done very well. I'm very, very, very proud of you." The board said Fowler's presentation was a prerequisite for serving as a youth delegate.

Fowler closed by offering a scriptural blessing and encouragement for county leaders, including Numbers 6:24–26. No formal action was taken on the presentation; it was part of the meeting's presentations segment.