The Todd County 4-H program was slowed to a crawl when Covid-19 hit, but quickly took a stand to continue valued programming for the youth of Todd County.  One of the top 4-H programs in the county is the local 4-H Performing Arts Troupe for middle and high school youth.  This troupe was patterned after the Kentucky 4-H Performing Arts Program. Todd County also has 4 members on the State 4-H Performing Arts Troupe. 

Research shows that children who sing/dance/act or play an instrument are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement compared with their non-performing friends — and they tend to have enhanced cognitive, motor, and social development skills.

The Todd County 4-H Performing Arts Troupe conisting of fourteen teens found ways to perform during the pandemic and showcase their vocal skills. In doing so, they were engaging in community service all while building confidence and leadership skills through the arts. The 4-H youth performed solos at the Octoberfest in Elkton on Halloween in addition to a few group songs (socially distanced) and then again at the new statue Elk reveal for the city of Elkton. They have submitted videos of songs of Thanksgiving and Christmas songs to make videos for our local nursing home. This spirit of community and giving has been high in the lives of these youth during the pandemic.

These local youth have stepped up to meet the challenge in a time when most people felt like giving up.  These youth spread holiday cheer through their own generosity of time and talents.  They have grown in confidence as they performed in front of young and old. They have learned to problem solve, which enhanced their skills in reasoning and understanding. They have worked their own technology for sound, did their own introductions and entertained the community through song.  The youth have gained experience in virtual zoom meetings and how to plan and conduct programming as a team. 

They gained perseverance and dedication by practicing, learning new skills and proper techniques to reach their goals. Recent research has shown that participation in the arts improves children’s abilities to concentrate and focus in other aspects of their lives. Not only have these 4-H youth gained valuable skills through participation in this 4-H club, they have shown great generosity through civic engagement with their community that will mold them into more productive citizens.