BELLEVILLE — Through dedication, countless hours of hard work, and unwavering commitment, Belleville-native Lauren O’Connor’s journey led her from showing animals in her Green County 4-H Club to earning a spot on the U.S. Women’s Olympic Rowing team at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

Inspired by her father’s experience growing up on a farm, Lauren’s parents hoped that raising and showing animals in 4-H would teach Lauren and her brother the value of responsibility. When Lauren looks back on her time in 4-H, she speaks with admiration, crediting the program for boosting her confidence, particularly in situations where she felt out of her element or needed to present herself more professionally.

As Lauren entered high school, her focus shifted toward sports like track and volleyball. She became increasingly curious about how she might continue her athletic pursuits at UW-Madison. A high school friend’s encouragement led her to attend a rowing open house, and despite being completely new to the sport, she embraced the challenge. 

For Lauren, rowing was more than a test of physical endurance; it was a way to connect with new people. Her dedication paid off her junior year when she earned a spot on the varsity boat. Along with many other achievements, Lauren went on to compete in the 2023 U.S. Rowing National Selection, the 2023 and 2024 World Rowing Cup, and ultimately, the 2024 Summer Olympics. She continues to train in New York on an elite rowing team and hopes to qualify again for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Lauren encourages younger 4-H members to step outside their comfort zones. 

“4-H is where you can meet people with different skill sets that might lead you to a new interest,” Lauren said. She emphasizes that 4-H is a valuable resource for young people to build connections, discover their passions, and explore new opportunities. Learn more about Lauren: https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/lauren-o-connor.

Learn how to grow with 4-H, as a youth member or adult leader, by going to www.greencounty4h.info or by contacting Ellen Andrews, 4-H Youth Development Educator, at Extension Green County at (608) 328-9440 or ellen.andrews@wisc.edu.