Forging Her Own Path

From 4-H to the U.S. Navy to political advocacy, Emily Oneschuk is living her life by taking the “road less traveled,” to quote Robert Frost. As a former military youth who participated in Massachusetts 4-H, Oneschuk has achieved an impressive career in the U.S. Navy and in political advocacy. Throughout it all, she continues to stay true to herself and to use her voice to amplify causes she cares about — and that started in Massachusetts 4-H.

Oneschuk, now 30, grew up in Wakefield, where her father was in the U.S. Navy. She participated in Massachusetts 4-H where she founded the Austin Prep 4-H’ers., traveled to National 4-H Conference and National 4-H Congress, delivered Visual Presentations, and created sewing projects that she showed at fairs. “The Middlesex County Fair holds a special place in my heart,” Oneschuk  reminisced.

She also joined the Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) Program and created videos recommending how communities could support military youth. Va Shon Wallace-Hiltpold, the 4-H Coordinator for SOMK at the time, and current 4-H Educator and Foundation Vice President, met Oneschuk and was quickly impressed. “Emily started out as a 4-H teen in my county, already showing confidence and leadership,” said Wallace-Hiltpold. “It was amazing to see how the skills she learned through 4-H helped her shine in everything she did.”

Emily Joins the Military

Oneschuk attended Miami University in Ohio, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Studies, and a minor in Naval Studies. She was awarded a four-year scholarship from the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and immediately commissioned into the Navy upon graduation, following in the path of her father and cousin.

Between 2017 and 2022, Oneschuk served in the Navy. In Florida, Emily endured rigorous training to become an Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving Officer as well as a Platoon Commander. “The training is really tough. First is a year of dive school,” said Oneschuk. “After that, it’s hands-on with the explosives, then jump school and tactical training. There’s not much margin for error. It showed me what I was capable of.”

After completing her training in 2020, Oneschuk moved to Rota, Spain, where she oversaw the dismantling of underwater explosives and led an all-male Navy platoon.  “From a leadership perspective, this was a period of growth for me,” remembered Oneschuk. “I was the only woman in Spain in that role.”

Shortly before her time in the Navy, Emily lost her younger brother to gun violence. Over time, Oneschuk’s views of the military changed. “I reached a point where I didn’t feel right carrying a gun,” she said.

In 2021, Oneschuk began what turned into a 14-month process of resigning her position in the Navy through recognition as a conscientious objector, with the assistance from the Center on Conscience & War, a nonprofit. “It’s a lengthy legal process,” explained Oneschuk. “I had to convince the U.S. military that I was sincere in my beliefs.”

Until her objector status was approved, Oneschuk was reassigned to a refugee camp in Spain, where she worked for three months as the camp’s Operations Director, assuming responsibility for the welfare of 2,300 refugees from Afghanistan. In this role, Oneschuk facilitated interagency operations while advocating for Afghan families who had fled from the Taliban. .

A Pause, then Advocacy

Following her discharge from the military and return home, Oneschuk’s stressful experiences caught up with her in the form of mental health challenges. “I knew I wasn’t well,” she stated simply. She pursued cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) through the Veterans’ Administration (VA) but felt she needed more tools.

Oneschuk learned of The Hope Project, an organization that employs psychedelics to combat PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in female veterans and military spouses. She traveled to Jamaica and Brazil to use psychedelics therapeutically. She also continued to go to therapy and engage in other self-care practices.

Over time, Oneschuk felt more like herself. “Mental health is a topic we’re talking more about but is still largely misunderstood. There are people who are struggling. It’s not just me, and it’s not just veterans,” she reflected. “The existing tools we have aren’t making the change we need to see.”

After connecting with the Boston Psychedelic Research Group, Emily was approached to advocate for a 2024 ballot question, which would have legalized the use of some psychedelic mushrooms. “At the time, I was hesitant and kind of fearful,” remembered Emily.

Drawing on her Visual Presentation experience from 4-H, especially extemporaneous speaking, Emily found herself doing interviews and debating esteemed doctors on live television and radio. She believed the goal was as much about reducing stigma and education as it was about passing the ballot question, which ultimately failed.

Looking toward the Future

Currently, Oneschuk is writing a memoir of her experiences and revisiting sewing projects she enjoyed so much in Massachusetts 4-H. She dreams of designing clothing and continuing to advocate for causes she is passionate about. “I would like to continue to grow as a writer and continue finding my voice.”

Throughout her life, Oneschuk relied on her early 4-H experiences of leadership and public speaking to meet challenges. “4-H formed me into a well-rounded person. I had a lot of confidence in my leadership and speaking abilities,” said Oneschuk. “4-H does a great job of empowering kids, giving them the confidence to take initiative in their lives.”