Study: 4-H Students Make Better Decisions

Having been in 4-H for over 10 years, I can attest to how the program changed my life, for the better! Because of the skills I gained through 4-H and the kind, caring leaders who taught me, I became president of 4-H Council in my county at the age of nineteen. I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to lead 4-H programming and help "make the best better." Three youth in my county recently completed the renovation of the 4-H Cottage on our fairgrounds (it was orignally built as a WPA project in the 1930s). They raised over $40,000 in only 6 months and completed the entire project in just over a year. Through this, they learned social skills, public speaking, contracting and building skills, and how to manage and stick to a budget and timeline. This is just one example of the amazing work 4-Hers do. I am so honored to work with youth such as these everyday. Even though I've aged out of 4-H, I still find myself going back and volunteering whenever I can. It's been almost one year since I've been out of the program, but it still has a huge impact on my life. In fact, being the news reporter in my 4-H club got me interested in news media, the career path I am now pursuing in college :) Thanks for writing this article and thanks for your support of the 4-H program!

Emily H. of NE 9:57PM August 13, 2011