The Kentucky 4-H Area Teen Leadership Academy continues to make a meaningful impact on high school youth across the region. This year’s program brought together motivated students from 9th to 12th grade, with the majority representing 10th and 11th grades. These teens stepped into a wide variety of leadership roles, serving as workshop committee members, graduation planners, group leaders, and even taking on officer positions like President and Vice President of the Advanced Teen Leadership Academy.

Participants consistently 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.

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. They also expressed appreciation for the networking opportunities and educational trips to iconic Kentucky locations like Churchill Downs and the Muhammad Ali Center.

While the program received overwhelmingly positive feedback, teens offered thoughtful suggestions for future improvement. These included spacing out guest speakers, incorporating more hands-on activities, and dedicating more time to committee work and parliamentary procedure.

Favorite memories from the year included overnight trips, team-building projects, and meaningful community service. The participants left with a stronger sense of self, new friendships, and the confidence to lead in their schools and communities.

One Henderson County teen summarized his year in the program, “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.” His mom also said, with 4-H he has really been pushed to try new things and become more confident in his leadership and public speaking skills. He would have not that about running for office or giving a speech without the help and impact that 4-H has given him over the past two years in teen leadership academy and advanced teen leadership academy.