The 4-H Program puts a big focus on building leadership skills in students, and now teens in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties will have a new opportunity to grow those skills. 

Henry Craft, 4-H Youth Development Educator with the University of Illinois Extension, indicates that he and Haley Jones, his counterpart in Macon County, wanted to allow students to take on responsibility and flex their leadership muscles through a new program called The Teen Leadership Council. 

Craft indicates that they focus on giving tasks to students that play to their strengths while still pushing them to grow. He says that their first opportunity to do this is leading the announcing at the 4-H Awards Ceremony, as well as planning the activities and programs. 

Taking on a leadership role can be very scary for a young person, and Craft was not expecting to have more than a few students be interested. He was blown away by the number of students who wanted to participate in this program. 

You can still sign your students up for 4-H in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties. Learn more by visiting extension.illinois.edu/dmp.