Avani Rai

Avani Rai found her voice and developed a love of public speaking and civic engagement in 4-H. Through a variety of leadership positions, Rai's interest in raising awareness for food insecurity and heathy living—focusing on accessible, nutritious foods —blossomed.  

She is a 2023 4-H Youth in Action Finalist, a national honor recognizing her impact on her community and across the state of Illinois. Through her 4-H Food Advocacy team, Rai has packaged over 10,000 meals and sponsored more than $23,000 in mini grants to fund 30 different food advocacy projects in Illinois. Additionally, she has used her strong communication skills and platform as an Illinois 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador to shine a light on inequity in food access. 

Her activism around this issue has garnered national attention, earning her a speaking engagement at the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September. Rai represented 4-H as the only teen speaker in a line-up of high-profile guests ranging from President Joe Biden to humanitarian and chef José Andrés. A natural leader and public speaker, she appeared in a fireside chat with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Ambassador Susan Rice. Her powerful speech on becoming a food advocate at 10 years old proved that activism can be ignited at any age. 

A high school senior, Rai dreams of pursuing law and advocating for legislation that brings the topics of Healthy Living and food advocacy into the spotlight.