Life skills are essential in preparing youth for success in life. Leadership is one of the most important life skills that youth should learn. The Knox County 4-H leadership program provides opportunities for youth to grow their leadership skills in a safe and welcoming environment. Youth are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and experience new things. Our goal is to help youth gain the leadership skills they will use for life. This year, Knox County 4-H has partnered with Jobs for American Graduates (JAG) at Barbourville High School and Lynn Camp High School to provide monthly lessons/events structured to help youth recognize and grow their leadership potential. Youth had the opportunity to learn and practice skills related to communication, interviewing, conflict resolution, and team building. Youth were able to take personality assessments, test listening and conflict resolution skills, and participate in mock interviews.

More than 100 youth participated in the programs and more than 30 volunteer business leaders/organizations supported our final project, 4-H Speed interviews. During this event, youth put the skills they had learned into practice by interviewing with local business leaders and rotating to a new interviewer every two minutes.

As a result of the program:

1. 125 youth participated in team building challenges
2. 91 youth participated in life skill simulations
3. 70 youth participated in mock interviews with 94% stating the practice interview helped them feel more comfortable for real-life interviews