“To my third-grade self 4-H was a creative outlet to showcase things I was proud of, to my current self 4-H is a life-long commitment to bettering myself. 4-H means never having to do anything alone, having the confidence to reach your wildest dreams, and to be a leader. Through 4-H I have gained friendship. Previous to my first Teen Council meeting I was extremely shy and introverted. I almost didn’t go but thankfully my mother wouldn’t take no for an answer. If I hadn’t attended, I’m not sure what would have happened to me. It’s hard to look at pictures and remember who I was before 4-H, before I had confidence and supportive peers. At my first meeting I remember an older member named Matt making a point to try to get me to speak, and I did a little. Every meeting after my first I would speak a little more to Matt and a few of the other older members, till eventually I was socializing freely with everyone. It was because of that first meeting attended, and that first friendship made that I have social skills today. The encouragement I received from my older peers meant the world to me. After my social skills started to develop, I became interested in camp and Teen Conference. It was the encouragement from my friends in my county that pushed me to go, and the friendships that I made on my trips that inspired me to set big self-goals. To elaborate further the friends, I had made were setting and obtaining such large goals that I had never thought someone my age could reach. They were doing things that they were passionate about and using their connections through 4-H as a tool to help them. With this and the questions I had asked surrounding their goals I found the assurance I needed for my confidence to grow and my goals to skyrocket. Soon enough I had established myself as a strong presence in the Teen Council, I was unafraid to participate and voice my opinions. I gained these behaviors while being a teen counselor at camp during the summers. Being responsible for children forced me to use my voice which was a major push I needed. I found that treating the children with respect earned you their respect, this was a major breakthrough with some of the children’s behavior, and something I made sure to take note of. Through the Teen Council I developed majority of my leadership skills, I was improving my debating skills, speaking up for myself, and encouraging others. When it came time for the previously mentioned Matt to leave for college and leave his position of president of the council, I made known my goal of taking over. With Matts support and the leadership skills I had gained, I was a notable head above my worthy opponents and was graced with the position from my peers, a year later when it came time to re-elect, I was given the honor again. While serving as the president pre-pandemic I learned the characteristics of a good leader and the importance of communication, which I make a point to use in life outside of 4-H. Being a leader is about communication, getting things done, and presenting your best self to be a role model for others -all of which I learned through 4-H. When I leave to attend University of Kentucky this fall, I know that the skills and friendships that 4-H has given me will last and help me through the upcoming changes in my life. 4-H has opened up so many opportunities for me and offered so many diverse experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It has heavily influenced my life; I am thankful for the wonderful network I have built through my participation in 4-H, and I hope to continue my journey with 4-H for as long as I possibly can. As a member of 4-H I have learned selflessness and leadership, the two most important things anyone can have. To me 4-H is family, and with my 4-H family behind me I know I am ready to conquer the next chapter of my life and achieve my goals. 4-H is the reason I am who I am.” Hannah R.