Chambana Sun

Over 100 young individuals from seventh and eighth grades participated in the 2023 space-themed 4-H Junior Leadership Conference held on November 4-5 at the Decatur Hotel and Conference Center. The event focused on enhancing leadership skills among youth from across Illinois.

“This event helps youth from all over Illinois gain a new experience at the state level,” stated Johnna Jennings, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development educator. “They gain essential life skills like networking, independence, and all the skills we are hoping for our next generation of leaders.”

The conference was organized by seventeen Youth Leadership Team members who aimed to empower participants with improved leadership capabilities. Katie Duitsman, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist, explained, “Participants gain confidence and skills they need to step up and start being leaders in their clubs and communities.”

Workshops at the conference were themed around space, focusing on public speaking, overcoming obstacles, and community leadership. These activities were designed to foster new friendships and expand participants' networks within the 4-H community.

A significant part of the conference involved a service project where attendees packaged 12,744 meals for donation to their home communities. Andrea Schaffnit, a first-year Youth Leadership Team member from Adams County, shared her involvement: “I helped plan the community service workshop. This will help teach youth about hunger in their communities and how they can make a difference and impact.”

Members of the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team led the organization of the conference. Duitsman highlighted their contributions: “The Youth Leadership Team members gain program planning experience that includes everything from budgeting, designing, and leading.”

The event was partially funded by the Illinois 4-H Foundation with additional support from sponsors like Growmark FS.

Illinois 4-H is recognized as a prominent youth development program administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences at University of Illinois Extension. The program emphasizes developing future leaders who are equipped for life today and prepared for tomorrow's careers.