Pennsylvania 4-H Members Build Leadership Skills at Statewide Conference
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — More than 300 Pennsylvania 4-H members gathered to network and hone their leadership skills at the recent State Leadership Conference, held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College. The theme was “Connecting Our Communities.”
County 4-H members from across the state participated in workshops designed and delivered by 4-H staff from around the nation, Penn State faculty and staff, alumni, and industry leaders. The workshops included topics that encouraged youth to build their skills in various leadership and professional development areas.
The keynote speaker was Mike Smith, who discussed the importance of bridging the gap between passions and professions to build a future one can truly love. Sharing his expertise and personal experience of starting a public high school and pioneering the Gap Year program, Smith has learned the strategies and importance of creating meaningful connections between education and real-world success.
On the final day of the conference, 26 4-H’ers received Diamond Clover Awards, the highest achievement possible in the Pennsylvania 4-H program. The Clover Award Program encourages 4-H members to engage in and lead new projects and activities that will help them acquire the seven leadership life skills: communicating, decision-making and problem-solving, getting along with others, learning to learn, managing, understanding self, and working in groups.
Engagement with the Clover Award Program is generally a multiyear process that involves planning and implementing a service-learning project in the community.
At the end of the conference, the new Pennsylvania 4-H State Council team was announced. The council is a premier group of young people selected from across the state to serve as the official youth spokespeople for the Pennsylvania 4-H program.
Sophia Leiden, Clearfield County, was announced as the new council president. Emma Wilson, Jefferson County, will serve as secretary.
The communications committee will consist of Trevor Fettermen, Somerset County, and Kelton Wenger, Lancaster County. Serving on the events committee will be Abigail Clemente, Mercer County, and Adelaide Miller, Clinton County. The outreach committee will comprise Alyssa Cook, Schuylkill County, and Evan Frescura, Westmoreland County.
Additionally, the County Council award winners were announced, recognizing the outstanding achievement of Pennsylvania 4-H teens who take part in their local County Council, a stepping stone to serving on the State Council. Groups from Lycoming, Indiana and York were recognized as the top three councils.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website at https://extension.psu.edu/
—Penn State Extension
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