SLIPPERY ROCK — Three years ago, a restless Cameron Suorsa, 17, decided to join Butler County's 4-H organization and launched into leadership roles immediately.

“I like that 4-H allows you to make new friends and enhance your leadership skills,” Suorsa said. “I'm part of five different clubs now.”

Suorsa, a junior at Slippery Rock High School, expanded his role in the organization's national community by joining the National 4-H Congress design team.

Last year, Suorsa was invited as a delegate to the national congress in Atlanta, where members from across the country congregate to discuss goals, learn through workshops and perform community service.

“Everyone made friends from different states,” he said. “I probably came back with 20 different friends from Wisconsin, Indiana, Louisiana; like, all different kinds of places.”

Suorsa said the event was not only fun but impressive and inspired him to become involved with the planning team, which would organize this year's congress.

After a lengthy application process that included a written resume, in late January Suorso was accepted as a planning team member. Suorso and seven other planners met again in February in Atlanta for a two-day conference, meant for brainstorming and teammate introductions.

“In that two days, it's amazing what we accomplished,” he said. “As a group, we all functioned really well together and sort of became a family within that 50-hour period.”

The group also joined in telephone conference calls, where members discussed their plans for public speakers, established a theme and decided on opening and closing skits.

The theme, “Excite. Spark. Ignite,” correlates with each day of the congress and its activities, beginning with enticement, leading to learning and ending with the delegates sharing their experiences with the communities they represent.

Suorsa will fly again to Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day. He said he'll eat his holiday meal with his planning team colleagues.

The group will complete last-minute planning and preparing for the year's delegates, which are slated to arrive a day later on Nov. 27.

“It's probably about one day, but we sleep half of that time; hopefully, we sleep half the time,” he said. “We probably won't sleep that entire week anyway.”

Suorsa said they have a sentimental ending planned for their final skit at the end of the five-day congress that they hope will encourage delegates to reflect on their time.

After the event, Suorsa will return to his parents' veterinary clinic, the Slippery Rock Veterinary Hospital, working as a ward attendant, vet assistant or receptionist. He also helps on his grandparents' farm, when not involved in club activities.

Suorsa said he likes to dabble in technology, specifically applications, when he has free time.

“I try to take technology to the table with most things I get involved with,” he said.

Suorsa tried to link the 4-H program with an application, but the project was deemed impracticable due to design and marketing costs.

Suorsa has an interest in both veterinary sciences and business, and he thinks he may be able to include both in his future.

Suorsa said after the congress, he can shift his focus to new leadership roles, hoping for a position on the 4-H State Council.

“I was going to run last year, but decided to leave it until after congress,” he said.

Suorsa said he would be able to showcase his commitment to leadership as a council member, a one-year term position. He said the position involves representing the state, attending a number of public events and speaking at those events.

“It is a big commitment. You miss a lot of school, so it's pretty hectic that way,” he said.

To prepare, Suorsa said he plans to work on his speaking abilities, and he plans to use the experiences of some friends, who already had held the position.

“I'm ready to jump in to the state council,” he said. “I've gotten a grasp of what it takes to do that, what's expected and the amount of involvement you need.”