2025 State Leadership Conference

Four Lycoming county 4-H members from Lycoming County participated in the State Leadership conference. This event was open to 4-H members aged 13-18 from across the state of Pennsylvania. State Leadership Conference was held January 31- February 2 at the Penn Stater and Conference Center in State College.

Over 300 4-H members from across the state attended this weekend long event where members took a variety of leadership workshops and met members from across the state. The purpose of this event is for teens to reach their top leadership potential, by building and perfecting skills that will last them a lifetime.

On Friday night, members joined the Pennsylvania State Council for a night of ice breakers and opening ceremony. The theme of this year's conference was 'Unlocking the Power Within.'

During the day on Saturday, 4-H members got to choose their workshops. Some workshops of 4-H members attended included public speaking, mindfulness, how to manage stress, conflict resolution, and interviewing/dressing for success to name a few. At the end of the day members could choose a social activity to attend which included a dance, movie, or games.

Sunday morning consisted of a closing ceremony and brunch. During the closing ceremony many leadership accomplishments were recognized. The Diamond Award recipients were announced. The Diamond Award is the highest-level award that a 4-H member completes during their 4-H career. This project is based on a service-learning project benefiting the community. It is a 2-year project. This first year is spent on planning and the second is completing the project. This year 15, 4-H members from across the state received this prestigious award.

Mackenzie Heyler, 4-H member from Lycoming County was recognized as a Diamond Clover recipient. Mackenzie instructed sewing classes for county 4-H members to help construct pillowcases and draw string bags to be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. Mackenzie had 18 members, and 10 adults participate in the sewing classes. She hosted these classes in January and February 2024 open to beginner and experienced sewers. She also collected items to be placed in the bags as activity kits. Mackenzie say, " her main goal was to give back and allow others something else to focus on instead of being in the hospital." Mackenzie donated 40 bags and pillowcases, filled 9 caregiver bags with donations, and served 2 Ronald McDonald Houses.

Also, during the ceremony, the State Council Awards were announced. Lycoming County participated in this contest this year. Applications were complied of officer books, goals, yearly calendars, and a digital scrapbook of the year from the County Council 4-H club. County Council is made up of teens from across Lycoming County wanting to further their leadership skills and complete fun activities.

Lastly, at the end of the closing ceremony the new Pennsylvania 4-H State Council was selected and inducted as new officers. Lycoming County 4-H member Caitlyn Shrodo will be serving on this council as a member of the Events Committee. She joins 10 others from across the state that will be serving on this council. Caitlyn had to complete an application, an interview, and several training sessions in order to be a part of the State 4-H Council. As a member, Caitlyn will be attending various state events like Ag Progress Days, and the PA Farm Show. She will also be attending several state, regional, and local 4-H events. Caitlyn will join three others, Justine (Bush) Paquet, Samantha (Gstalder) Tatham, and Divya Reitz, from Lycoming County that has also severed on the PA 4-H State Council in the past. Caitlyn and the new 2025 4-H State Council got to decide the new 2025 state theme which is 'Connecting Our Communiities.'

Participants that attended the State Leadership Conference included: Mackenzie Heyler (Pioneer Valley), Katie Shipton (Pioneer Valley), Caitlyn Shrodo (Nothin But Dust), and Rachel Winter (Keystone Kountry).