According to recent studies, students who develop leadership skills in middle school are 70% more likely to excel in high school and beyond. The Teen Leadership Academy (TLA), a middle school 4-H leadership program, has proven to be a catalyst for such development among young learners.

The TLA program, designed for middle school students, selects four students from each participating school to engage in a comprehensive leadership program. This year, the program focused on building skills across various domains including tourism, local government, entrepreneurship, agriculture, public speaking, and community service. By traveling to different counties, students gained firsthand experience and learned the importance of leadership and community engagement in diverse contexts.

Program Impact

The impact of TLA on its participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Notable statistics from the program include:

• 100% of participants reported an increase in their leadership skills.
• 94% stated they could utilize information from the program to enhance their communication with others.
• 100% affirmed that their communication skills improved because of their involvement.
• 100% understand the significance of their actions on others after participating in TLA.
• 94% indicated that the program information would aid them in becoming better decision-makers.
• 88% experienced a boost in their public speaking confidence.
• 100% of participants plan to engage in other 4-H programs due to their experience with TLA.

These statistics highlight the program’s success in fostering essential life skills among young leaders.

Student Reflections

The program concluded with students collaborating to deliver presentations that reviewed their year-long journey in TLA. The reflections from participants featured the program’s transformative impact:

• "I learned new skills to help my community," remarked one student, emphasizing the practical applications of their newfound knowledge.
• "I feel like I have developed confidence because I feel more confident presenting with a group," another student shared, highlighting the program’s role in boosting self-assurance.
• "I have made new friends and learned many new things that are happening in the surrounding counties," noted a student, pointing to the social and educational benefits of TLA.
• "I feel more confident in my leadership role in groups and can help people succeed," expressed a participant, reflecting the program’s emphasis on collaborative leadership.

Parental Insights

Parents and guardians also observed significant growth in their children, attributing this to the TLA experience:

• "This program has broadened my child's perception of counties that are close to home. She loved learning how they are similar, but each one has something unique and different as well. Great learning experience!" 
• "We have seen him begin to see a larger community than just our county. Teaching him how ideas and methods can vary over a small area yet seeing new things in a vastly different way!" 
• "Since my child has been involved with TLA I have really noticed her confidence grown and her public speaking improve. Her confidence level has gone up tremendously," observed a parent, commending the program’s impact on confidence and public speaking skills.

The Teen Leadership Academy stands as a model for effective leadership training at the middle school level. By providing hands-on experiences across various counties and disciplines, TLA equips students with the skills and confidence needed to become active, thoughtful leaders in their communities. As the participants look forward to further involvement in 4-H and other leadership opportunities, the foundational experiences and lessons from TLA will undoubtedly guide them on their journey to becoming the leaders of tomorrow.