Teen Leadership Washington County is an annual program for high school juniors and seniors that focuses on leadership development, career opportunities, and learning about the community.  The Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, 4-H Youth Development Agent, and School Gifted and Talented Coordinator partner to plan and implement monthly sessions to cover topics like agriculture, healthcare, business and industry, and more.  On December 11, 2024, twenty-eight teen leaders took a deep dive into the workings of local government during the annual Teen Leadership Civic Engagement Day. 

The day kicked off at the Judicial Center, where students were welcomed with a tour and a conversation about jury duty, courtroom procedures, and the range of careers available in the justice system. From there, the students walked to their next experience: a rotation between the Springfield Police Department and a panel of local leaders. During these sessions, students learned about law enforcement’s community role and heard directly from the Property Valuation Administration (PVA) and the youth sports program coordinator.  After walking to City Hall, students presented their own community engagement assignments, which tasked the teens with learning more about community boards and organizations, then presenting their findings to the group for increased awareness of local volunteerism.  Mayor Chris Essex then joined the students to speak about city planning, youth involvement, and what it takes to lead a small town with big ideas.  The learning continued at the Washington County Fiscal Court, where students met with Judge Executive Tim Graves and County Clerk Brett Barry to explore how counties manage budgets, organize elections, and support community services.  The day concluded with a visit from a school board representative, Ray Canterberry, who spoke about the process of serving on the board and how student voices can influence board decisions.  

Before heading home, students completed an evaluation of the day and wrote thank-you cards to each of the community members who shared their time and insight.  The visit to the Judicial Center significantly deepened students’ understanding of the local justice system. They left with a new appreciation for the complexity of legal proceedings, the roles of various court personnel, and the civic responsibility of jury duty.  Touring the police station and talking to local leaders of PVA and youth sports helped students see how behind-the-scenes efforts—from aerial mapping to volunteer-led sports programs—shape everyday life in their community. Students walked away with a much clearer understanding of how local decisions are made, the limits of authority, the importance of public records, and the critical role of taxes in maintaining and growing their community. Most importantly, they saw how citizen involvement matters, and that even as teens, they can contribute meaningfully to civic life.