Success StoryKentucky 4-H Area Advanced Teen Leadership Academy Empowers Future Leaders
Kentucky 4-H Area Advanced Teen Leadership Academy Empowers Future Leaders
Author: Gary Druin
Planning Unit: Ohio County CES
Major Program: Leadership
Plan of Work: Leadership Development
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Kentucky 4-H Area Advanced Teen Leadership Academy Empowers Future Leaders
The Kentucky 4-H Green River Advanced Teen Leadership Academy made a meaningful impact on high school youth from Hancock, Henderson, Ohio, and Webster Counties. This year’s pilot program brought together 13 motivated Teen Leadership Academy graduates from 9th to 12th grades to participate in the first Advanced Teen Leadership Academy. Four delegates from Ohio County completed the program including 2 minority youth. The group met 4 times for extended day-long sessions of which one was overnight in Louisville, Kentucky.
These 4-H teens stepped into a wide variety of leadership roles, serving as workshop committee members, nominating committee, graduation planning, group leaders, and even taking on officer positions including President and Vice President. Each member presented a speech on their qualifications for an officer position and/or committee member/chair.
The Academy included learning and implementing Parliamentary Procedure, speech presentations, career speakers, civic engagement, communication workshops, and a challenge course. In the Qualtrics survey at the conclusion of the program, the participants rated their experience highly, with most giving the program a score of 4 or 5. They highlighted communication skills, public speaking, and leadership development as the most valuable aspects of their participation. Many reported significant personal growth, particularly in their ability to lead others, collaborate as a team, and solve problems effectively. In the written evaluation, one member said, “It has boosted my confidence and inspired me to seek leadership roles in community service and youth organizations.”
The program’s reach extended beyond the 4-H setting. Several students credited the experience with increasing their involvement in leadership roles within their schools and organizations such as FFA and other community groups. They also expressed appreciation for the networking opportunities and educational trips to iconic Kentucky locations like Churchill Downs and the Muhammad Ali Center.
Highlights from the year included an overnight trip, team-building projects, and meaningful community service at the Daniel Pitino Shelter. The participants left with a stronger sense of self, new friendships, and the confidence to lead in their schools and communities.
As one teen summarized, “This program helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. I’m more confident speaking in front of others and I’ve even run for a leadership position at school because of what I learned here.”
With results like these, the Advanced Teen Leadership Academy stands as a powerful example of how Extension and 4-H programming can shape the next generation of leaders.
Stories by Gary Druin
4-H Youth Agriculture Days
Youth understanding the importance of American Agriculture to our everyday existence includes an app... Read More
4-H Body Walk
There is a wide-spread problem with the health and well-being of our youth. According to the Centers... Read More
Stories by Ohio County CES
Ag Development Funds Improves Operation Efficiency
Over the last 5 years, over $500,000 have been invested in agricultural improvement /diversifica... Read More
Improved Beef Management
The “2016 National Beef Quality Assurance Audit” showed that food safety and how/where cattle are ... Read More
© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment