Extension
It Starts With Us
Empowering Youth to Reach Their Full Potential
Empowering Youth
Mary Beth Riley
Agriculture
Family and Consumer Science
Leadership
Health & Wellbeing
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.
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.
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.
Youth will evaluate their personal skills and strengths as they become aware of leadership opportunities in their club and community.
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 2024-2025
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 2024-2025
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 2024-2025
Audience: 4th & 5th graders
Project or Activity: Classroom Speeches
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Teachers, Volunteers
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: County & Area Speech Contest
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Teachers, Volunteers
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Craft Club
Content or Curriculum: Craft Projects
Inputs: Agent, School Administrators, Volunteers
Date: Throughout 2024-2025 School Year
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Club Officers
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Teachers, Volunteers
Date: Throughout 2024-2025 School Year
Audience: Middle School Students
Project or Activity: Lyon County Middle School Club/Champions Club
Content or Curriculum: Step up to Leadership, Unlock Your Leadership Potential
Inputs: Agent, School administrators, Teen leaders
Date: Sept 2024 - May 2025
Audience: 4-H Middle School Youth
Project or Activity: Summit
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Materials
Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Specialist, STC
Date: March 2025
Audiences: 4-H Middle School Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy and Graduation
Content or Curriculum: Step Up to Leadership, and visiting local communities
Inputs: Agents, community members, and volunteers
Date: September 2024-May 2025
Audience: 4-H High School Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Retreat
Content or Curriculum: Leadership Materials
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: 4-H High School Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: Leadership Materials
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Specialists
Date: June 2025
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Council, Area Teen Council & State Teen Council
Content or Curriculum: Leadership Materials & Opportunity
Inputs: Agent, Teens School Administrators
Date: Throughout school year 2024-2025
