A 4-H teen who had not been fully engaged in the 4-H program since 5^th grade attended the 4-H Southern Regional Teen Leadership Conference (SRTLC) last year.  Making new friends from several states and growing leadership skills were just two of the things that drew him back to SRTLC again this year.A phone call to the 4-H agent volunteering to teach a workshop led to serving on the planning committee for the conference.  Working with other teens and adults in true youth-adult partnerships was a new experience for the teen who had served in name only on conference committees with other organizations.  The teen stated that there were high expectations for decision-making and follow-thru.  According to the teen, “This was hard work, but I really learned a lot about leadership.”Following the conference, the teen stated that he wondered why he had not previously seen the opportunities 4-H provides for youth who want to develop leadership skills that will be useful throughout life. He emphasized that he will definitely utilize what he has learned, cherish the friendships he made, and never forget the value of youth-adult partnerships.