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Cape May Court House – The Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program is proud to announce the Outstanding Senior and Junior 4-H Members for 2025. Eddie Hoover and Nathaniel McCrone were named Outstanding Seniors and Gentry VanArtsdalen and Ryley Yates were named Outstanding Juniors in recognition of their accomplishments in 4-H project work, citizenship, leadership, community service, and personal development.
2025 Outstanding Senior 4-H Member Eddie Hoover is a member of the Scales and Tails, Kitchen Phanatics, and Teen Ambassadors 4-H Clubs. Eddie is a 2025 graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School and plans to enlist in the United States Marines. Eddie has been an active member of the 4-H Youth Development Program for 11 years. Through the years, he has attended various leadership training programs including 4-H Club Officer Training, counselor training at LG Cook 4-H Camp and the Discover the Leader in You 4-H Conference for middle schoolers. Eddie has served as either president or vice-president of several different 4-H clubs continuously from 2018 through 2025 demonstrating his leadership skills. Eddie said, “Whenever I hear that there is help needed on a project, I always volunteer. I learned through 4-H that if a group of people all work towards a common goal it can be achieved, and together we can overcome any obstacle.”
2025 Outstanding Senior 4-H Member Nathaniel McCrone is a member of the Teen Ambassadors and Wranglers 4-H Clubs. He will be in the 12th grade at Middle Township High School in September and has been a member of the 4-H Youth Development Program for six years. Nathaniel, president of the Wranglers 4-H club, was both the 2024-25 Cape May County Senior Equestrian of the Year and the State of New Jersey Senior 4-H Equestrian of the Year. Nathaniel said, “What sets 4-H apart is the sense of community and desire to help others. Because of the help I received through 4-H, I have gone further than I ever imagined. I can’t thank 4-H enough for everything it has helped me achieve especially becoming State Equestrian of the Year.”
Outstanding Junior 4-H Member Gentry VanArtsdalen is a member of the Lambs R Us 4-H Club. She will be in the 7th grade at Dennis Township School in September and has been a member of the 4-H Youth Development Program for three years. Gentry serves as president of her club and received a 1st place ribbon for her market lamb at the livestock auction during the 4-H Fair last year. She also volunteers at Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy and for local road clean-up programs throughout the year. Gentry said, “4-H is about the kind of people you meet and all the amazing experiences you get to share with them.”
Outstanding Junior 4-H Member Ryley Yates is a member of the Lambs R Us and Teen Ambassadors 4-H Clubs. She will be in the 9th grade at Ocean City High School in September and has been a member of the 4-H Youth Development Program for three years. Ryley serves as secretary of her club and has raised two livestock Lambs. She volunteers at Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy, for community clean-up programs, and raises money for charitable organizations throughout the year. Ryley said, “4-H has taught me so many things not only about animals and livestock but also about helping others and improving myself.”
Linda Horner, 4-H Program Coordinator said, “Our objectives for this award program are to provide an opportunity for these 4-Hers to enhance their personal and leadership development, to represent 4-H in the community and to receive recognition for all that they have already accomplished.” The 2025 Outstanding 4-H Members will represent the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program in a variety of ways including participating at this year’s 4-H Fair on July 17, 18, and 19.
To learn more about the 4-H Youth Development Program in Cape May County, call (609) 465-5115, ext. 3605, like us on Facebook at Cape May 4-H, Instagram at cape_may_4h or visit capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu.
The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K-13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.