Western has had a grand total of 52 school suspensions for the 2017-2018 school year with 41 of those suspensions being from the African-American population. Western Middle is known for performing arts and has a unique school culture. Rooted in District 4 of Jefferson County, Western serves the school district as a magnet school for visual and performing arts. Western is also a Title 1 school thus making the dynamics of the student population very diverse in its need. Many of the students excel in academics but have trouble with interpersonal and leadership skills. The schools’ Family Resources and Youth Services Coordinator (FRYSC) has many professional resources in place to supplement what may or may not be addressed at home or in the classrooms. Therefore, it is important to educate them on the skills to help them develop great personality important to succeed in their education.

To address this need, I, Patrice Thompson a Jefferson County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development met with the FRYSC and one of the school therapist about some of the needs of the students. After our discussion, we agreed to reach and engage some of the students who may be lacking in interpersonal skills and self-confidence. More than 500 students, from 6th through 8th grade, were taught all about leadership using the 4-H leadership curriculum and the club that would be formed. Upon completion, over 30 students signed up for more information and 10 turned in paperwork to participate in the Western Middle School 4-H Leadership Club. In a follow up meeting, we decided that this club would be unique in the sense that more topics on leadership will be discussed using the leadership roadtrip curriculum such as: integrity, self-awareness, communication skills, and team building in ways that are creative and engaging.

As a result, a 4-H leadership club has been established in Jefferson County with 13 participants attending every week. Participants have been identifying their own personal strengths as leaders and have begun to sharpen them. Over this brief time, 8 of these students have led discussions in our club meetings and have taken the initiative to encourage active participation from their peers. Collectively, they have talked to their friends about what they are a part of and as a result, 5 additional students have shown interests in signing up for 4-H club next year and a new participant was added to the club this year. The students are enjoying their 4-H experience and they are leading others to 4-H so they can grow their leadership skills. All of these 4-Hers are brand new but are definitely open to leading and making their better, the best.