Lyon County CES

Title:

Empowering Youth to Reach Their Full Potential

MAP:

Empowering Youth

Agents Involved:

Mary Beth Riley

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Family and Consumer Science

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Health

Situation:

Youth are a resource that is often untapped for their leadership skills. The Profile of Youth in Kentucky (KCN, 2000) reported that only 25% of youth felt valued by society and only 27% felt they were given useful roles in their community. Lyon County has many teens with strong leadership skills.

Good communication and organizational skills are essential to leadership and a successful life. Adults often report the fear of public speaking as the greatest fear they encounter and indicate that they were never encouraged as youth to speak.

Citizens, youth and adults, should understand the importance of taking leadership roles in governmental and civic organizations as a way to influence change. The Lyon County Extension Service can be the catalyst for preparing citizens for these efforts.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Youth will assume leadership roles for which they are qualified. They will use learned communication skills to present programs to younger students, local organizations, and governmental agencies to influence change in their community.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will participate in trainings to enhance their leadership and communication skills. Participants will learn to fill leadership roles through acquired skills and self-confidence gained in preparation for assuming leadership roles.

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will evaluate their personal skills and strengths as they become aware of leadership opportunities in their club and community.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will increase knowledge of personal strengths and leadership opportunities.

Indicator: Number of you willing to give speeches and run for office

Method: Formal and in-formal evaluations

Timeline: Throughout 2022-2023

Intermediate Outcome: Youth will participate in trainings and feel confident to take on new roles

Indicator: Number who participate in trainings and take on leadership roles

Method: Formal and in-formal evaluations

Timeline: Throughout 2022-2023

Long-term Outcome: Youth will present and assume leadership roles

Indicator: Number who give presentations and fulfill roles

Method: Formal and in-formal evaluations

Timeline: Throughout 2022-2023

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4th & 5th graders

Project or Activity: Classroom Speeches

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Agent, Teachers, Volunteers

Date: Spring 2023

Audience: 4-H youth

Project or Activity: County & Area Speech Contest

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Agent, Teachers, Volunteers

Date: Spring 2023

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Photography Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Agent, School Administrators, Volunteers

Date: Throughout 2022-2023 School Year

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Craft Club

Content or Curriculum: Craft Projects

Inputs: Agent, School Administrators, Volunteers

Date: Throughout 2022-2023 School Year

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Club Officers

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Agent, Teachers, Volunteers

Date: Throughout 2022-2023 School Year

Audience: Middle School Students

Project or Activity: Lyon County Middle School Club

Content or Curriculum: Step up to Leadership, Unlock Your Leadership Potential

Inputs: Agent, School administrators, Teen leaders

Date: Sept 2022 - May 2023

Audience: 4-H Middle School Youth

Project or Activity: Summit

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Materials

Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Specialist, STC

Date: March 2023

Audience: 4-H High School Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Retreat

Content or Curriculum: Leadership Materials

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers

Date: Spring 2023

Audience: 4-H High School Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Conference

Content or Curriculum: Leadership Materials

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Specialists

Date: June 2023

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Council, Area Teen Council & Teen Leadership Academy

Content or Curriculum: Leadership Materials & Opportunity

Inputs: Agent, Teens School Administrators

Date: Throughout school year 2021-2023

Success Stories

Anti-Tobacco Program Presented by 4-H Teens to Over 120 Students

Author: Mary Beth Riley

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

According to data released through the Kentucky Incentives for Prevention study 17% of 10th graders and 24% of 12th graders reported using an e-cigarette or a “vape” in the past 30 days.  Unfortunately, more and more teens in our area are using vapes and encouraging their peers to use them. It is never too early to start teaching young people about the consequences of tobacco use. The Lyon County 4-H teen club members are passionate about putting a stop to tobacco use and making

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