4-H’s positive youth development programs strive to make the best better through building leadership and life-skills today and growing the future leaders of tomorrow.  Through participation in 4-H programs, youth are engaged in hands-on experiential learning opportunities geared towards improving one’s personal health, expanding one’s content knowledge, developing one’s life-skills, building one’s leadership and encouraging one’s involvement in their community.  Through continued engagement in one’s 4-H program, members gain a wealth of knowledge and experience, which will benefit them in their future aspirations and career preparation.  

After continuous years of involvement, Allen County 4-H seniors reap the benefit of their success while excelling at state level competitions and achievement recognition.  In each member’s early junior (ages 9-13) years of involvement, 4-H encourages individuals to explore the multitude of opportunities through various clubs, projects, workshops, conferences, camps and more to determine areas of interest and skill.  In their later years, senior 4-Her’s (ages 14-18) are encouraged to focus on a few select core areas in order to enhance their skill development in an area(s) of interest.  

Allen County 4-H has had eight seniors to excel with high rankings at state competitions and achievement recognition during the 2020 – 2021 program year.  Through their 4+ years of participating, these teens have gained a plethora of skills pertaining to decision making, leadership, caring for others, hard-work, in addition to expansive content knowledge related to their respective interest/career fields.  Through these areas of interest youth are able to apply multiple developmental skills to help them to succeed in competition and later on in life.  

Five youth received recognition for their state level 4-H Achievement Program.  Of these awards, two members received the Bronze Honor (Ty Jones, Kelly Jo Manion), two received the Silver Honor (Logan Graves, Tori Langman) and one to compete as an Emerald Honor Candidate (Daphnica Wood).   Daphnica follows the lead of our 2020 Emerald recipient from Allen County, Kierra Owens, having been selected for and competing for the prestigious and limited four Emerald awards given each year.    

One 4-H Member, Kierra Owens, represented Allen County 4-H at the state level as part of the Performing Arts Troup, which has presented her with numerous opportunities to perform and share her singing talents live.  Youth selected to serve on state leadership boards, like the Performing Arts Troupe, have the opportunity to combine their interests, leadership and communication skills to represent program areas at the state level.  

Two 4-H youth shined at the State Livestock Judging event, placing 1^st Place High Point Overall Individual (Ty Jones) and 6^th Place High Point Overall Individual (Cooper Marsh).  Additionally, these young men also excelled at the State Livestock Skillathon Contest placing 1^st Place High Point Overall Individual (Ty Jones) and a 2^nd Place High Point Overall Individual (Cooper Marsh).  

Two young ladies (Tori Langman, Madison Woods), representing our horse program, competed at the State Horse Show excelling and winning in several horse riding events.  Retiring senior, Tori Langman, received the prestigious Senior Reserve High Point Individual on her horse during her last year of eligibility in the horse program.    

As a result of their continuous years of involvement and skill development with 4-H, these seniors are building foundations for a bright successful future.  The life-skills that these teens have accumulated through their project and club work, will not only serve them in their immediate 4-H futures, but will also help give them the necessary leadership, communication and civic engagement skills to make positive impacts in their communities for many years to come.