4-H high school youth participated in a virtual leadership conference with youth from surrounding southern states. The Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, or SRTLC, is held annually to allow youth and adults to develop leadership skills as well as to practice networking skills with 4-H’ers from other states.  Fayette County 4-H had one youth participant. One of the main things she said she learned was there are leaders her age and younger that are ready to become leaders and this gives her the confidence to step up and be leader right now.

To abide with COVID-19 restrictions, it was decided that this year’s leadership conference would be held virtually. With workshops, networking events, virtual campfires and dances, leadership lessons, and informative roundtable discussions being held over video conference, 72 high school from Kentucky 4-H along with hundreds of 4-H’ers from all thirteen southern states registered to take part in SRTLC. 

Despite the challenges of hosting an online multi-state event during challenging times, the virtual SRTLC was a tremendous success. One 4-Her shared, “Even though it wasn’t in person, my first SRTLC was great!”  Other 4-H participants said the conference was “fantastic” and “a blast.”  The conference planners were able to build a virtual community of young people through social media platforms where participants continue to engage in dialogue with one another, sharing 4-H work from their home state. 

In addition to the scheduled workshops and trainings, 4-H’ers also donated school supplies to their local schools as part of the event-sponsored service project. Participants completed an online survey that captured information about the donated school supplies and allowed 4-H’ers to upload photos of themselves serving their communities. Kentucky 4-H’ers contributed generously, and, with the help of fellow 4-H’ers from across the region, thousands of items were donated to schools in need. 

“SRTLC is an outstanding opportunity to help youth develop leadership skills, citizenship skills, and help them find opportunities to put those skills to use in their community,” said Jeremiah Johnson, Kentucky 4-H Agent serving on the SRTLC Planning Committee, “In my experience it has been one of the best ways from young people to meet other 4-H’ers from across the southern US and learn about 4-H on a broader scale.”  

Youth that attend SRTLC are empowered and inspired to make positive changes across the southern region through leadership development, networking opportunities and collaborative partnerships. Youth and adult participants present educational workshops and roundtables on topics ranging from dancing for exercise to driver safety, from leadership styles to 3-D printing, and more.