4-H Youth Development is focused one major goal which is developing youth leadership skills.  According to Miller (1987) youth leadership is defined as the development of life skills necessary to perform leadership functions in real life.  This idea of building leadership skills is encompassed in the idea of achievement.  Youth respond positively when feel they feel that they have accomplished, or achieved, a goal in some manner.  Each year Owen County 4-H hosts a 4-H Achievement Banquet which is intended to recognize those youth members that have worked hard to achieve goals through club attendance, participation, project completion, award attainment, or any success that they have reached for that program year. 

For the 2016-2017 4-H program year, the Owen County 4-H Achievement Banquet was held on November 21, 2017.  Thirty eight youth members completed their forms to be recognized.  There was a total of 87 in attendance for the 4-H Achievement Banquet.  Dinner was prepared by the Owen County Extension Homemakers whom received a donation from the Owen Council 4-H Council for their hard work in organizing and arranging the meal.  The dessert, a full sheet cake, was prepared by the local family owned grocery store, Meadow View Shopwise. 

For this event, the Kentucky 4-H State Teen Council President, Deborah Myers, was invited and graciously accepted the offer to be a part of celebrating the 4-H youth members of Owen County in their many achievements throughout the program year.  Deborah gave an inspirational speech which one 4-H youth member described later as “motivating and makes me want to get more involved.” 

Youth achievement is important for building positive youth development for, not only the youth, but also for the 4-H program itself.  At the local level, the Owen County 4-H Program recognized those members whom completed the Kentucky 4-H Achievement Application.  At the Owen County 4-H Achievement Banquet, Laura Duke was recognized along with Maggie Wilhoite and Kelsey Davis for completing their 4-H achievement application.

University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension District 3, which includes Owen County, had a total of 74 youth that completed the application.  One of Owen County’s 4-H members, Laura Duke, was one of the 74 that sent her application on to the Kentucky 4-H Achievement Program.  She was awarded the Bronze.  This achievement is a great accomplishment as the levels awarded depend on involvement and points accumulated throughout their many experiences gained through 4-H and more.

According to research motivation is essential to building positive youth development.  Across the state of Kentucky 4-H offers many opportunities that encourage youth to grow their skills and knowledge through the motto learn by doing.  Therefore, it is important to recognize youth for their many achievements to encourage their creativity leading to further accomplishments.  Owen County 4-H is building great leaders through these opportunities and experiences, which is obvious through the local Achievement Banquet as well as the Kentucky 4-H Achievement Program.