Article by Adrianna E. Meyer

The 2013 St. Landry 4-H University delegates, included in the picture is Thomas.
Photo courtesy of Brittany Thomas.

By using the pledge, a former 4-Her shares how it shaped her professional career goals.

Brittany Thomas credits 4-H with shaping her who she is today. Not only did the program give her skills and opportunities to lead, but it gave her a strong sense of community and belonging— motivating her to pursue a career in social work to serve others.

Thomas joined 4-H in the 4th grade and remained active through high school in St. Landry Parish. Today, she is pursuing a Master of Social Work at Tulane University. She previously earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from McNeese State University and a Master of Public Administration from Southern University.

In her parish, she participated in the Junior Leaders Program, serving as president for one year, and she also held multiple leadership roles in her middle and high school 4-H clubs. Once eligible, she attended 4-H University annually and was selected to serve on the SET (Science, Engineering, and Technology) Board.

One of the most impactful moments from Thomas’s 4-H experience was serving as a camp counselor. “Going into it, I thought the role was mainly about supervising younger campers and making sure everyone followed the rules. But I quickly realized it was much more than that,” she said. She found herself encouraging campers to step outside of their comfort zone by trying new things, while also supporting them through homesickness and anxiety. This experience opened her eyes to the power of mentorship and leadership. “It helped reinforce my desire to work in a field like social work where I can continue guiding and supporting others,” reflected Thomas.

4-H continued to support Thomas long after her membership by helping her become life ready. “4-H contributed to that readiness by teaching me leadership, public speaking, teamwork, and community service from a young age,” she said. “It helped me learn how to step up in unfamiliar situations, communicate effectively with others, and follow through on goals.” For Thomas, being life ready means having the skills, confidence, and a mindset to face challenges while remaining adaptable, responsible, and prepared to lead and serve. She credits 4-H with instilling lasting habits— staying organized, setting goals, and following through on commitments.

“My hands to larger service,” a part of the 4-H pledge that every member recites at the beginning of a meeting, stayed with Thomas well beyond her high school years. It shaped her desire to make a difference in the lives of others. “I saw firsthand through 4-H how leadership and service go hand in hand, and it guided me toward a path focused on supporting individuals and communities through social work,” she reflected. The pledge’s message reflects the core values Thomas carries with her today as a social work student and future professional.

When faced with new challenges, Thomas often draws on the lessons that 4-H taught her. Moving away from home for college was a difficult transition, but the skills and confidence that she developed in 4-H helped her adapt. She soon stepped into leadership roles, joined several student organizations, built new connections, and ultimately found her place at McNeese. Professionally, 4-H equipped her with the tools to face unfamiliar situations with confidence and lead effectively.

Thomas’s most memorable moment from her time as a member was participating in a public speaking contest at 4-H University. “At the time, public speaking was completely outside my comfort zone, but I challenged myself to step up and try it.” Although she did not place, the experience taught her that she was capable of speaking confidently in front of others. With valuable feedback from the judges, she realized that growth often comes from not winning, bit taking risks and learning along the way.

For current 4-Her’s, Thomas encourages them to fully embrace every opportunity that the program gives them, even the ones that seem challenging. “4-H is a unique space to build valuable skills like leadership, public speaking, teamwork, and community service which are skills that will benefit you no matter what path you choose,” encourages Thomas. “Don’t be afraid to take risks, learn from mistakes, and ask for feedback to grow.”

Alumni interested in reconnecting or giving back to the Louisiana 4-H program can learn more today on our Alumni Page.