Submitted by Teen Leadership Academy Members
Leadership is not limited to simply guiding a group or organization. As a member of the 4-H Teen Leadership Academy (TLA), we have come to appreciate the true meaning of leadership. Working alongside other members, we plan exciting activities and delve into the essence of 4-H. In 2023 TLA has provided us with the opportunity to visit local businesses such as POET in Mitchell, Next Level Ag in Alpena, and the National Fish Hatchery in Yankton, where we learned directly from our community's leaders. These visits have shown us that true leadership involves possessing an entrepreneurial spirit and a clear vision for the future.
As part of the TLA program, each member was assigned the task of creating a program that would benefit their community or fellow 4-H members. This year's programs provided a broad range of all that 4-H offers. If you can dream it you can do it! Now in its fourth season, the TLA program was recently recognized by SDSU Extension with the Excellence in Programming Innovation and Creativity Award. Thank you to our program leaders Audra Scheel and Caroline Hansen for helping us to develop our leadership skills.
4-H YOUTH VOICES
Outdoor Learning Space Meet Hudson Fouberg, a dedicated Sanborn County 4-H member who knows the value of hard work. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Hudson was committed to continuing to learn alongside her peers. To make her vision a reality, she worked tirelessly to secure grants and build support for her project starting in 2020. Sanborn Central School is now home to a new outdoor learn space on the north side of their campus. Hudson’s project took first place in the 2023 SDSF 4-H Mastery Showcase.
Light A Smile Reviving an old project and supporting mental health with the help of local florist, Laura Baker, Carissa Scheel, Cally Faulhaber, and Harlee Heim teamed up to bring happiness to those living in local assisted living and the nursing home while advocating for mental health. Each resident received flowers, TLA members also led residents in bouquet building. The power of flowers to bring joy cannot be overstated, and with the assistance of other 4-H members, they succeeded in lighting smiles to all those involved.
5K Cancer Walk Teagen Moody provided assistance for the local 5K Cancer Walk. This initiative is particularly meaningful to him since his cousin was diagnosed with childhood cancer and has since made a full recovery and is now a 4-H Cloverbud. According to Teagen, raising awareness in our community is an ongoing and crucial effort. 50 people participated in the 5K for Cancer in Letcher, SD.
4-H Golf Tournament: A Fun-Filled Event for Members Teagan Scheel and Tucker Thompson organized the firstever 4-H Golf Tournament where youths were paired up with adults to play nine holes at the Springs Country Club. “In 4-H, we believe in making the most of everything we do, including the activities we love. It was a great opportunity to share our passion for golf with our fellow members,” declared Scheel and Thompson.
Passionate Rodeo Enthusiast Offers Opportunity for Youth to Hone their Roping Skills Ella Fagerhaug has a deep love for rodeo, with roping being her specialty. After experiencing numerous rodeo opportunities over the summer, she decided to offer the same to local youth. With the help of area instructors, 30 young people had the chance to enhance their roping skills. To put their abilities to the test, they were given the option to participate in a competition with live cattle, complete with awards.
Babysitting 101 Empowering Young Babysitters through Community Clinics- Mercedes Jones has been babysitting for several years and has recognized a need in her community for a clinic that could help other young people feel more confident in their babysitting abilities. Having attended a similar clinic herself as a 4-H member a few years ago, Mercedes took it upon herself to organize one. The clinic brought together 20 youth from a 50mile radius, where they spent the day learning about the different development stages of children and how to keep them safe. Additionally, local EMTs provided training on first aid and choking.