To say that 4-H shaped and continues to define the life of Kingfisher County native Sarah Maass would not be an understatement.

The former Kingfisher County 4-H hall of famer, Okarche 4-H member and 1997 Kingfisher High School graduate was recently named state leader for the Kansas 4-H Youth Development program, capping a more than 25-year experience participating, volunteering, educating and working in the youth program.

Maass, the daughter of the late Delbert and Shirleen Maass, holds a bachelor’s degree in family relations and child development from Oklahoma State University.

With an eye toward an OSU Extension educator position in 4-H youth development, Maass earned a master’s degree in family, youth and community service with a minor in extension from the University of Florida.

However, no 4-H positions were available in Oklahoma when Maass completed her master’s in 2004, so she accepted a position in Lyon County, Kan.

From there, Maass advanced to a district extension agent position in 2007, overseeing 4-H programming in Ottawa and Saline counties.

While holding that position, she completed a doctorate in lifespan human development from KSU and also served as interim 4-H volunteer development specialist with the department of 4-H youth development at the state extension office.

As a high school student, Maass was a state 4-H food and nutrition project winner and county and state 4-H ambassador, as well as an inductee in the county hall of fame.

After graduation, she served as a volunteer with the county 4-H program and then as a 4-H and county fair board intern while she completed her undergraduate degree.

Near the end of her academic career at OSU, she worked as an intern in the Ag in the Classroom program at the state 4-H office.

Over the course of her professional career, Maass has authored or co-authored dozens of articles and studies related to 4-H and adolescent growth and development.

She’s also created and presented hundreds of training programs for 4-H adult volunteers and teen leaders.

“My 4-H club leaders, Nancy Bomhoff and Melissa Knecht, always made sure all members and families were welcome and involved,” she said.

“Susan (Lively) Allen, my 4-H agent, was always encouraging and made sure we learned something from all of our experiences, including failures.

“All these mentors helped me realize how much I wanted to teach youth.

“ While I initially planned to teach high school math, I realized in college the value of nonformal educational and experiential learning.

“This is when I really started exploring becoming a 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent. Of course this took a little nudge from Susan.”

Maass will oversee the management and leadership of the state’s largest youth development organization, reaching approximately 75,000 youth and their families each year.

She will be headquartered in the state 4-H office on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan.

“Together, we have the opportunity to continue to change the lives of the families and youth we work with in our communities,” Maass said.