Leadership education builds several important assets in Kentucky youth and provides critical elements of youth development (Search Institute, 2004; Pittman, Irby & Ferber, 2001). The fewer assets young people have, the more likely they are to engage in negative behaviors (Benson, 1997; Eccles & Gootman, 2002). The more assets that are provided to youth, the more likely they are to exhibit positive behaviors. Strong leadership and decision making skills are essential assets in helping shape a 4-H member into a responsible adult (Jones, n.d.). County 4-H teen programs often struggle with the retention of tenured 4-Hers once reaching middle school due to the overwhelming demand of school, extra-curricular and church activities. Therefore, county 4-H programs often deal with limited teen leaders for 4-H camp, workshops and teen council/4-H council representatives. With Leadership being one of the seven core curriculum areas in Kentucky 4-H, the goal of the 4-H Teen Leadership Academy is to help strengthen the teen’s leadership skills and encourage their involvement as 4-H teen leaders and adult 4-H leaders in the future.  The program started in 2008 as a combined effort between five Kentucky counties; Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue and Meade and continued into its eleventh year this year.

Participants, grades 8-11, meet monthly to learn about an aspect of their county; including: civic responsibility, volunteerism, college/workforce prep, media/PR, and city/county government.  Five applicants are selected from each county to comprise a group of 25 4-H teens for each annual class.

At the end of the program, a post-test was provided to each TLA member. Evaluation results indicated that 100% of participants gained leadership skills. Ninety percent of teens reported being comfortable taking on leadership roles as a result of their participation in TLA. One hundred percent also reported being confident in themselves and their abilities.  After participating in TLA, 83% also reported being comfortable speaking in front of a group. 

One Meade County teen in particular has taken to heart what she learned in TLA this program year and is giving back to the county program what she feels she received.  “Elizabeth” has taken personal leadership to a new level since becoming a 2019 Teen Leadership Academy graduate.  She stated, “I think my personal leadership skills were greatly improved as I took notes from the example the leaders showed me."  She volunteers her time anytime that a volunteer call is sent out by the 4-H Youth Development Agent and has helped to plan and implement six days of summer day camps for youth, ages 9-18; not only being present and engaged the day of the programs, but being actively involved in choosing lessons to be taught, assisting with shopping for supplies, gathering supplies, room set up, supervising youth during class and transition times and teaching a few lessons herself.  She has also increased her 4-H participation at the district and county levels.  At the district level, she served at the North District 5 4-H Teen Council Secretary and will be serving in that role again for the 2019-2020 program year.  At the state level, she attended the KY 4-H Teen Conference for the first time this year and even though she is a proclaimed introvert, made several new friends and helped other first time attendees feel comfortable during large group activities.  She aspires to audition for the KY 4-H Performing Arts Troupe next program year and is looking forward to serving in many other volunteer roles throughout the next program year.