4-H Teen Leader

The level of membership in 4-H does not have anything to do with your knowledge or experience. For most people like myself, we got started in 4-H at the age of five being a cloverbud. I got to go to the club meetings, participate in them, do activities with older members, and even take a project to the fair if I wanted to, but it just did not get judged. At the age of eight I became a first year 4-Her. I got to take any project(s) I wanted, and gave me a good feeling that I got to pick what I wanted to do. I took a market lamb, sewing for beginners, and cooking project. I had so much fun working with my grandma on my sewing project but learnt at the age of eight that it was not something I liked to do. I cooked with my mom and found I really enjoy to cook. Working on my market lamb with my older sister was probably the best of all my first year experiences. I never took another livestock project throughout my fifteen years in 4-H though. I could not handle sending an animal to its death after I had spent endless amounts of time with it. When I turned eleven I became a junior member and when I did my projects I was expected to do more with in them. As I

In fact, it was the same tour I went on in 4-H as a fourth grader, so I knew what they felt when I saw the amazement on their faces. Being a member shapes students as an individual and is for anyone who wants to make a difference. As a member students are blessed with the opportunities to come together and help others; the opportunities include: raising money for charities, helping food ministries, helping animals, and introducing the younger generation to 4-H and FFA, which go hand in

As the week progressed and friendships formed between everyone, I realized the importance of the camp to all that were involved. To the counselors it was a learning experience, as well as a time to appreciate all that we would usually take for granted; to the campers it was a time to learn and make new friends, and for most of them, it would also serve as their only form of a summer vacation. So although we were all exhausted by the end of the week, we had a great time.

As I sit on the floor of my bedroom, I prepare myself for a life changing week. My dark black suitcase is right next to me. I have my packing list in one hand and a red pen in the other. I cross out the items that I already have. I make sure that I have everything I need for a week at summer camp. Every summer since 5th grade, I have gone to Skyview Ranch in Millersburg, Ohio. It is a week of laughing until my stomach hurts and powerful words that change my mind forever.

It was a balmy July morning when my family and I drove out to Lycoming College to begin my week at PFEW. An uneasy feeling set in as I realized that I will be surrounded by strangers in an uncommon environment for a whole seven days. Adding onto this stress was the fact that I have never been away from my parents for more than one night. Upon my arrival, all of the camp participants were ushered to a large auditorium and given a welcome presentation. Looking around at all the unfamiliar faces, I felt the urge to call my parents and avoid

No matter what happened during the school year I would always come back to camp and be able to spend time with the girls that went from friends to family over the nine years that I had known them. This last year was the last time I would ever get to do activities, earn merits or even swim a mile. During my last two weeks at CLH I knew this but it did not sink in until it was my last time to hike up to Church Mountain as a camper. On the way up my eyes started to sting and I reached over and grabbed my friend Riata’s hand. I looked over at her and saw that she was crying too. Once I realized she was I looked around and witnessed my entire cabin start to break down and come to understand, this was our last year, our last chance to do anything a camper could do. It was during this time that I truly came to appreciate everything camp has taught me and the great friends that I made along the way.

It’s the middle of the winter of 2009 and my family and I are on our way to my very first meeting with the Three Rivers 4H Club. I am incredibly unsure about what 4H is, in fact, I had never even heard of 4H before my mother presented the idea to me in the spring of 2009. My mother brought the idea to me because I was tired of lying around all summer and I needed something to do. To fix this dilemma I was having, she did a little bit of research on the Internet for summer activities and programs around Carlisle and the state. That’s when my mother stumbled across an Iowa State University link for something called 4H. After she and I sat down and talked about 4H I found out that I loved the idea of all 4H is and what it does.

My most important 4-H accomplishments include joining the Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team (YLT), being chosen to serve on the Illinois Farm Bureau Youth in Education in Agriculture Committee 4-H representative (YEA), and county awards I have earned. Serving on YLT was a goal of mine ever since I went to the Junior Leadership Conference (JLC) my 7th and 8th grade years. On the team I have met some of the best people I now can call friends while representing 4-H across the state and impacting 4-H members too. Being apart of the team I have helped plan and execute two JLCs assisted with SFI-4-H training, worked at the Illinois State Fair, and represented 4-H at the University of Illinois Salute to Ag Day tailgate and football game. As

At the age of five, I was very shy and timid, but one way I feel I have overcame this was joining the Cobb Busy Badger 4-H Club. I joined 4-H when I was five years old and have been involved ever since. Through the years of 4-H, I have made life long friends, developed public speaking skills, and most importantly I have been able to give back to the community in many ways. As a member of 4-H, I volunteer at the local food pantry, adopt-a-family during the holidays, rake leaves in the fall, and play BINGO at the local nursing home. The leadership qualities and values I have gained by being in 4-H are something I take great pride in and will use in the future to help reach my goals.

I enrolled in the Ace's 4-h Club as a little ten year-old boy. Throughout the past nine years, 4-H has grown me into the leader I am today. In my early years of 4-H, I served as a recreation leader and treasurer of our 13 member club. In my high school years, I have served my club as a Vice President for two years, and taking over the role of President for this past year. Holding these higher officer positions forced me to talk for the entire meeting, discussing business and planning acitvities with my fellow club members. I have enjpyed going to club meetings and activities for the past nine years. At the county level, I have been involved in woodworking, photography, and home-improvement projects, along with showing pigs and cattle. I have

Throughout my past four years in high school, I have had the opportunity to maintain leadership positions in various organizations, including Spanish Honor Society and Drama Club. These groups have allowed me to be involved my school and community. I have organized various events including a stuffed animal drive in which we brought almost 1,000 donations of stuffed animals to the Pembroke Pines Police Department

Growing up in a small town, it is crucial that every individual get involved. This has pushed me to stay active in athletics, National Honor Society, student government, FFA, band, choir, play production, speech, and CYO. I take every organization I am involved with seriously and have earned some leadership positions: FFA News Reporter, Volleyball & Basketball Captain, Class President, and Student Council Member. It is an honor to hold these leadership positions and be a positive role model for the younger generation. I am able to support those younger than me and demonstrate a hard work ethic. By using my leadership and communication skills I have been able to influence teammates and fellow members to have a positive attitude

Last autumn, she made one of the best decisions of her life; to be a candidate for the Kansas 4-H Youth Leadership Council. She worked extensively on her interviewing skills, her speech, and the format of her poster to transform her into a representative of Kansas 4-H. Through the 4-H Youth Leadership Council, she not only expanded her leadership skills, but she helped others come out of their shell, and influenced their lives for the (hopefully) better.

The motto of 4-H is “To Make the Best Better,” and I experienced individual growth through this community by gaining valuable leadership techniques. As vice president, I organized numerous service projects, including valentines for nursing home residents and Santa’s Elves, which provided ten underprivileged children with Christmas toys. Additionally, I helped prepare for the 4-H summer camp by planning registration, activities and songs. As pledge and song leader at camp, I led campfire circles to continue the joy from the day’s activities into the night. This previous year, I earned the position of lead teen at camp, which involved acquiring information regarding schedule changes and distributing it to my fellow counselors. My position challenged

It was a hot summer day in July of 2013. I walked through the doors of the youth building at Ray of Hope. The music hit my ears as my eyes adjusted to the low lighting of the room. I walked forward and signed in at the desk that sat just a few feet from the door. I made my way to the middle of the room where the stage stood with rolls of chairs facing it. There were kids in their groups and I stood watching them.