Ada High School senior, Victoria Ross, says her interests vary from marching band, horses, goats, 4-H and bullying awareness.

This fall, she became a National Danforth Outstanding 4-H recipient, “in recognition of balanced personal development, qualities of constructive leadership and excellence of character.”

The award is based upon leadership, a written essay, interview and participation in 4-H. 

She was recently named the Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative Ada High School student of the month.

Victoria’s 4-H involvement goes back to her elementary school years, when as a fourth grader she received the Clock Award in gardening at the state fair.

“4-H taught me important skills in leadership. It has helped me make friends and has helped me to be who I am,” she said. “I have a true passion for all of 4-H.”

Among her recent 4-H achievements include being Hancock County Fair goat princess and then goat queen. She is a also a member of the Hancock County Junior Fair board and last year was a royalty contestant.

As a member of the Lucky Horseshoes 4-H Club two years ago she acquired an 11-year-old Norwegian Fjord horse.

“Maximus – the horse’s name – was abused,” she said. “It was timid and scared. Since owning the horse, she says that it is coming out of its timid shell.

Viewer will notice a photo of Maximus with this story. It has a blonde and dark-striped mane, like the horses in the movie “Frozen.”

Connected to 4-H is Victoria’s involvement in the Ada HS FFA, where she holds a state FFA degree. This past summer she was a participant in the FFA state band.

And, she plays trumpet and is drum major for the marching band. During lunch period, she helps out as a tutor in sixth grade band.

Her musical interests led her to apply and become accepted as a first-year member of Inertia Independent Marching Band. It is a professional indoor marching band based in Dayton. It plays in the Winter Guard International circuit.

Beyond high school, Victoria plans focus on another interest – marketing. She wants to attend Ohio University after high school graduation and major in marketing management and a minor in music.