"The potential for change is a core strength of all youth—a strength that can be built upon. This strength is cause for  optimism for it means we can positively influence the life paths of all children. The contexts in which they live, learn, and play have resources to promote positive youth development. These resources can become the “social nutrients” young people need for healthy development. Researchers and practitioners agree that this concept of developmental assets is key to understanding how to foster PYD in our homes, classrooms, and community-based programs (Benson et al., 2006, 2011)."

This year's Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup boasted positive youth development. Held in Louisville during the North American International Livestock Exposition, the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup is the culminating event for senior-level 4-H horse youth on the eastern side of the United States. Contests consist of horse judging, horse bowl, communications (public speaking, individual demonstration, and team demonstration), and hippology. This year our Kentucky delegation not only performed exceedingly by bringing home the national champion title in public speaking, but applied all of their knowledge and experiences to these contests. We had representation in horse bowl earning third place, hippology with an individual earning 5th in judging, and 7th in team problem, and Kentucky brought home 9th for team communications.