Author: John (Connor) Cooper
Planning Unit: Hopkins County CES
Major Program: Leadership
Plan of Work: Enhancing Leadership, Volunteerism, and Public Policy Awareness
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
In June of 2022, Kentucky 4-H held the annual 4-H Teen Conference. At this event, Lucas Arnold was named Kentucky 4-H Vice President. He is only the fifth person ever in Hopkins County to hold this title. Lucas has faced some tough challenges in his 4-H and personal life like every teen who lived through Covid-19. With Covid-19 affecting the majority of his high school experience, Lucas wanted to make the most of his last year in the program and put all of his efforts into running for a state office. This was a very difficult process including two rounds of interviews, one of those being an overnight experience where Lucas was being observed on his action for 36 hours. Lucas says “4-H has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. I was born into this program. 4-H truly helped shape me into who I am today. Having a chance to be a state officer was something I have wanted since I was old enough to know there were state officers.” Throughout his time as Kentucky 4-H Vice President, Lucas has met many youth, volunteers, community, and state leaders. His journey began with working 10 days straight at the Kentucky State Fair. Since then, he has visited numerous counties to assist with programs, all four of the 4-H Camps, and has worked closely with Ryan Quarles, the Commissioner of Agriculture in Kentucky, to promote agriculture and the “Ag Tag” vehicle tax promotion. Along with his duties of visiting and promoting programs, Lucas will also help put on the 2023 Kentucky 4-H Conference where his term will come to an end. “ I have enjoyed every moment of being the 4-H Vice President and I hope whoever fills my shoes in the coming months will have the same passion I have for this amazing program.” Lucas is currently attending Madisonville Community College where he is studying business admission. Lucas is not sure what his career will be but he says one thing is for sure “because of 4-H, wherever I go and whatever I become, I will seek to make an impact on my community and I will continue to volunteer with the 4-H program.”
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