The Todd County 4-H program offered a brand new county 4-H performing arts troupe for middle and high school youth.  This troupe was patterned after the Kentucky 4-H Performing Arts Program. Todd County also has 2 members on the State 4-H Performing Arts Troupe. 

Research shows that children who sing/dance/act or play an instrument are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement compared with their non-performing friends — and they tend to have enhanced cognitive, motor, and social development skills.

Todd County 4-H had twelve teens on the Todd County 4-H Performing Arts Troupe this year. These 12 youth performed vocally across the county for Todd County kindergarten and 1st grade students as well as day cares in the county.  

A focus group of these youth revealed that this performing arts troupe experience has enhanced their creativity by helping them to be able to think on their feet, approach tasks from different perspectives and think "outside of the box". They have grown in confidence as they performed and led younger students. They have learned to problem solve, which enhanced their skills in reasoning and understanding.

They gained perseverance and dedication by practicing, learning new skills and proper techniques to reach their goals. Their ability to focus was developed through ensemble work. Keeping a balance between listening and contributing involves a great deal of concentration and focus as well as collaboration. Recent research has also shown that participation in the arts improves children’s abilities to concentrate and focus in other aspects of their lives. And they have learned accountability in that their actions affect other people and they must take responsibility for it.