Missouri youth make moves in game of leadership

Leadership and independence were the name of the game for two Cedar County youth, Avery Schiereck (Missouri 4-H Council Representative), wearing light colored slacks, and Macy Stauffer, to her left, who attended Missouri’s 4-H Teen Conference at MU last weekend. Both attended the statewide 4-H function for leadership development, Teen Conference.  They joined 255 youth ages 11-13 from 68 Missouri counties for workshops led by older State 4-H Council teens.  “It’s a time to experience the thrill of independence in a safe and inclusive setting away from home,” said Tammy Ikerd, County Engagement Specialist in 4-H Youth Development in Cedar County.  “They build life skills, make new friends, and experience Missouri 4-H on a statewide scale.”

The theme of Teen Conference was Make Your Move in the Game of Leadership.  Workshops included an escape room, creating art packets for a youth crisis center, and learning about other countries from international exchange students.  Youth also explored the habitats of native bees through a 4-H Ag Innovators Experience sponsored by Bayer, and celebrated 103,752 meals collected by 4-H’ers during the 4-H Feeding Missouri initiative.  The keynote speaker was Dr. Lupita Fabregas, Missouri 4-H Program Leader, who delivered a message about recognizing our own diversity and connecting across cultural lines.

“4-H connects youth to the larger world and gets them engaged in their own hometowns,” said Bradd Anderson, State 4-H Youth Specialist.  Missouri 4-H is a program of MU Extension and is open to all children ages 5-18.  For more information, visit http://4h.missouri.edu or contact your local MU Extension Office at 417-276-3313.