Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

The quote by Bill Wilson “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world” is a statement that many Agents for 4-H Youth Development Education experience in their positions.  Goal setting and being mindful of keeping youth involved in leadership opportunities is important to ensure that they have the necessary skills to be successful in life. Often youth in Leslie County struggle to see the importance of being active in civic engagement, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles.  Helping youth stay involved in these activities is one important goal for Leslie County 4-H Teen Council.

Mark Mains shared during September 2019 agent training how The 4-H Achievement Program is a model of recognition and achievement to promote healthy competition.  According to the Kentucky 4-H State Office “The 4-H Achievement Program is intended to recognize 4-H participants who have outstanding accomplishments and to provide incentive for youth to increase their knowledge, skills and abilities.” This program fosters intentional participation in 4-H!  Leslie County’s 4-H Teen Council members, who at 2019 State Teen Conference received their Bronze Awards plan to apply for their Silver Awards and one young lady plans to apply for Gold Achievement also this Fall 2019.  Youth gather information about their participation in 4-H events from the Extension Office, along with their extended participation outside 4-H and complete their achievement applications. Their achievement levels award them funding to cover the cost of attending 4-H Teen Conference in June as well as being recognized during this event.  

In the past three years, 3 Leslie County 4-H Teens have earned Gold interviews and one received their Gold and also a spot to interview for Emerald.  Currently, 4 teens plan to continue adding participation and accomplishments to their Achievement applications.  We also have younger 4-Hers who are beginning their achievement applications for Clover levels1-3 and several who are applying for their Bronze level. They have continued their pursuit to further their leadership development in the 4-H program by becoming scholars of the Kentucky 4-H NRESci Program, attending Summer Residential Camp, Teen Summit, Summer Project Camps and other district and local programs. The Achievement Program has allowed them to see how they can grow as leaders and also seek other opportunities available in 4-H.  These are important steps  in achieving Leslie County’s goal to increase participation in the Achievement Program and 4-H programming in many areas.  We believe that our youth can connect full circle and better accomplish their full potentials with The 4-H Achievement Program!