Posted: February 21, 2024
More than 300 Pennsylvania 4-H youth gathered to network and enhance their leadership skills during the Pennsylvania 4-H State Leadership Conference, February 2-4. The conference took place at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College. The theme was "Build: Impact, Influence, Inspire."
County 4-H members from across the state participated in workshops designed and delivered by 4-H staff from around the nation, Penn State faculty and staff, alumni, and industry leaders. The workshops included topics that encouraged youth to build their skills in public speaking, teamwork, goal setting, improvisation, disability inclusion, public relations and resume writing. The 4-H youth who attended the conference are current and future leaders in their communities, schools, and 4-H pursuits, organizers said.
The keynote speaker was Kyle Willkom, the founder of Action Packed Leadership, a life skills and leadership company aimed at helping young people become the best version of themselves.
On the last day of the conference, 24 4-H'ers received Diamond Clover Awards, the highest achievement possible in the Pennsylvania 4-H program. The Clover Award Program encourages 4-H members to explore new projects and activities that will help them acquire the seven leadership life skills: communicating; decision-making and problem-solving; getting along with others; learning to learn; managing; understanding self; and working in groups. Engagement with the Clover Award Program is generally a multiyear process and consists of planning and implementing a service-learning project in the community.
At the close of the conference, the new Pennsylvania 4-H State Council team was announced. The council is a premier group of young people selected from around the state to be the official spokespeople for the Pennsylvania 4-H program.
Jordan Olson, of Mercer County, was announced as the new council president. Alyssa Horton, of Huntingdon County, will serve as secretary.
The communications committee will consist of Lex McCurdy, of Lawrence County; Melody Wright, of Bradford County; and Reuben Knepper, of Fulton County. Serving on the events committee will be Sammi Strouse, of Schuylkill County; Victoria Miller, of Westmoreland County; and Sawere Truax, of Fulton County. The outreach committee will comprise Tucker Maine, of Mercer County, and Allison Emanuel, of Lehigh County.
In addition, the County Council award winners were announced. This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of Pennsylvania 4-H teens who take part in their local County Council, a stepping stone to serving on the State Council. Groups from Lycoming County, McKean County, and Indiana County were recognized as the top three councils.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring, and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
