Longtime Fairfax County 4-H participant Ariana Blake was among four teens honored with the 2026 Virginia 4-H Youth in Action Award in January.
The Youth in Action Award honors outstanding teens who exemplify leadership, service and impact within their communities through 4-H. Recipients are selected based on their demonstrated excellence in one of the four core pillars of 4-H: agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living and STEM.
In addition to celebrating their achievements, honorees receive a $500 grant to support a community service project, a scholarship to attend Virginia State 4-H Congress at Virginia Tech and the opportunity to serve as a statewide youth spokesperson. This role allows recipients to share their 4-H experiences, advocate for youth leadership, and inspire others across the Commonwealth.
Blake, 16, was recognized for Civic Engagement for a project she spearheaded based on a personal challenging experience.
When she was diagnosed with a serious illness during the summer before ninth grade, she became very familiar with long stretches of waiting-room anxiety while sitting in hospitals with other kids.
Blake began a project called “Boredom Buster Bags,” which provide children in hospitals with kits filled with crayons, coloring pages, sticker and creative activities. With help from her school’s Junior Optimist club, her 4-H community club, and volunteers at a homecoming football game, Blake assembled more than 350 kits last year.
Blake also led efforts to restart her school’s dormant Junior Optimist club, which now organizes regular Bingo and trivia game visits at a local assisted living facility. On Valentine’s Day, she coordinated the delivery of 300 roses to seniors across two communities, creating opportunities for connection across generations.
“4-H gave me the confidence and skills I needed to be a leader — and now I try to make sure everyone feels included, just like others did for me,” she said.
A 4-H member since age 7, Blake has led numerous countywide and local service projects over the years, including her first service project at age 8. She has received the President’s Volunteer Service Award Gold Level for her service. She serves as Fairfax County 4-H County Council president and as a Virginia 4-H State Cabinet ambassador.
“We are thrilled for Ariana to earn this award — she is very deserving,” said India Pearson, Fairfax County 4-H Extension Agent. “She has grown up in 4-H; she is a leader in our organization as well as in the community and spreads 4-H magic wherever she goes."
The Fairfax County 4-H program is offered by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Program as part of its partnership with Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS).