Christa Van Treeck receives national recognition

University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension 4-H Youth Development faculty member, Christa Van Treeck, received national recognition at the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals National Conference held in Memphis, Tennessee.

The conference, a 75-year tradition, strengthens programing efforts and recognizes state and national 4-H youth development professionals. Service award winners are recognized for significant accomplishments in various stages of their career and for contributions to the 4-H youth development profession. Distinguished winners have seven or more years of service.  Christa Van Treeck, Extension Youth Development Educator for Marquette County, received the Distinguished Service Award. Van Treeck says her mission is to empower youth to discover their passions, achieve their goals, and give back to their communities through 4-H and community youth development programs that promote personal growth, team building, leadership, and service-learning opportunities.

She was also recognized with a regional team award for "Outstanding Achievement in Excellence in Peer Professional Development" for her work to create the annual Wisconsin Restorative Justice Summit. Kirstin Lardy was also a part of this team.

The National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals promotes, strengthens, enhances, and advocates for the 4-H youth development profession. It is an internationally recognized non-profit, non-partisan association of professional youth development educators. NAE4-HYDP is one of the largest professional associations for youth development workers with a diverse membership of nearly 4,000 youth development professionals.

Suzanne Boarts, 2021 NAE4-HYDP president, presents Christa Van Treeck with a Distinguished Service Award. (Photo submitted)