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:

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:

Parental Insights

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

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 successful leaders of tomorrow.