Posted: October 25, 2024
Young 4-H members from across Pennsylvania recently took part in a day-long event called State Leadership Conference, Junior. One hundred participants, aged 10-13, attended the conference at Penn State's University Park campus. The theme was "Unlocking the Power Within."
"SLC Junior is an introduction to leadership for our up-and-coming leaders," said Jeanette Stackhouse, 4-H education specialist for leadership and civic engagement with Penn State Extension, who noted that the event grew out of the larger state leadership conference for teens.
The conference focused on enhancing foundational leadership skills to support the growth of younger members within 4-H. Teen 4-H members serving on the State Council, the highest leadership role in Pennsylvania 4-H, led hands-on workshops and activities.
For example, sessions included "Dealing with Disagreements," "Leading Through Teamwork" and "Confidence Through Clothing."
The conference also included a project discovery fair during which State Project Ambassadors showcased various 4-H projects for participants to consider. State Project Ambassadors provide a youth perspective to statewide program areas, collaborating with 4-H state specialists on planning events, curricula, and initiatives.
Julia Jumper, a 4-H State Council alumna, served as the keynote speaker and talked about the recipe for success. She completed several food science projects during her time in 4-H and eventually became a pastry chef. Recently, she traveled on cruise ships doing this job and made her own wedding cake.
During the closing ceremony, Pennsylvania 4-H inducted a new team of State Project Ambassadors to begin their terms. A maximum of four ambassadors can represent each project area for one-year terms, with an option to reapply for a second year.
Stackhouse noted the record-breaking attendance at the conference.
"This is the largest delegation we've had since 2019 and the first year that we've sold out all the spots, which is exciting," she said. "It was State Council’s goal to reach 80 attendees, which still would have been a record, but they instead reached all 100 spots. They worked hard in their recruitment efforts."
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the United States 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.
