Lehigh 4-Hers Zoom into Leadership

Nearly 200 Pennsylvania 4-H youth gathered via Zoom to network and enhance their leadership skills during the 2021 Pennsylvania 4-H State Leadership Conference and found that even virtual conferences can be engaging and fun!

County 4-H members from across the state participated in workshops designed and delivered by 4-H specialists, alumni, Penn State faculty and staff, and leaders in industry. The workshops included topics that encouraged youth to build their skills in building trust, motivating others, confidence, and preparing for an interview. The 4-H youth who attend the conference are current and future leaders in their communities, schools, and 4-H pursuits.

"This year's conference was one that will be remembered for a long time," said Jeanette Stackhouse, Pennsylvania 4-H Teen Program Manager and co-director of the event. "We had a great turnout of teens still wanting to connect and build their leadership skills, and they were very engaged with the workshops. One of the exciting elements of a virtual conference is that we had guests from nine other states attend and learn with us. That likely could not have happened under normal circumstances."

Jonah, a participant from Pennsylvania, agreed. "Just because you are apart does not mean you can't be together."

In addition to the traditional workshops about leadership skills, participants also took part in a virtual escape room to develop their teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Teen participant, Julie, stated, "[It was an] awesome time meeting many new people." Sarah, a guest from Kansas 4-H, indicated learning some new ideas to be able to share with the local 4-H program.

Thirteen 4-H members were recognized for attaining the highest achievement possible in the Pennsylvania 4-H program, the Diamond Clover Award. The Clover Award Program encourages 4-H members to explore 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 multi-year process.

The youth who were honored include:

Cara Arnoldi - Bucks County

Kendyl Cersoli - Tioga County

Hannah Gaibor - Somerset County

Kelly Gillis - Westmoreland County

Lexie Kalaluhi - Westmoreland County

Emma Martz - Somerset County

Cali Moore - Lycoming County

Anna Norton - Centre County

Lily Palfrey - Indiana County

Katie Percival - Lycoming County

Rachael Percival - Lycoming County

Stefani Strouse - Schuylkill County

Emma Wassel - Montgomery County

At the close of the conference, the new Pennsylvania 4-H State Council Team was announced. The Council is a premier group of young people selected from the Commonwealth to be the official spokespeople for the Pennsylvania 4-H program.

The new State Council officers include:

• Olivia Jumper - Westmoreland County, President;
• Norah Carter, Allegheny County, Vice President of Operations;
• Isabel Poorbaugh, Fayette County, Vice President of Events;
• Abigail Hawk, Franklin County, Vice President of Internal Affairs;
• Claire Cohick, Cumberland County, Secretary;
• Maria Sipe, Fayette County, Sentinel;
• Tayler Garges, Montgomery County, Reporter & Historian.