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The team is comprised of 20 4-H members and recent
alumni under the age of 21 who coordinate and assist with statewide
4-H activities.
Sophia
Schneider, Logan County 4-H
Lilian Frazee,
Sangamon County 4-H
“Team members bring an invaluable youth voice to the program through
planning and leading the Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference,
walking the halls of the Illinois State Capitol talking to
legislators, and representing Illinois 4-H at state and national
events throughout the year,” says Katie Duitsman, University of
Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist.
The Youth Leadership Team offers 4-H members and
recent 4-H alumni an opportunity to give back to the 4-H program
while further enhancing their leadership skills. In addition to
planning and leadership roles, teens serve on statewide committees
and boards including the Illinois 4-H Foundation Board of Directors
and the Illinois Farm Bureau Youth Education Committee.
"I applied to the team, to pursue bigger
opportunities in 4-H and hope to share my skills and strengths to
help 4-H," says new member Lily Frazee of Sangamon County.
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Bringing on new members is an important part of
making sure that the team reflects an authentic youth voice. “Our
new members bring new ideas and perspectives to the team,” says
Duitsman. “Illinois is a large and diverse state and a flow of new
members ensures that all youth voices are heard.”
New Youth Leadership Team members for 2023 include:
Alex Paul of Wayne County, Amanda Nieman of Montgomery County,
Andrea Schaffnit of Adams County, Lilian Frazee of Sangamon County,
Ojas Shah of McLean County, Sophia Schneider of Logan County, and
Xitlaly Jasso of Cook County.
New members are chosen yearly for two-year terms and can serve up to
two terms total. Team Officers are elected once a year by their
peers. To learn more about leadership programming in Illinois 4-H,
please visit our Leadership Page.
More information about 4-H activities in Logan, Menard and Sangamon
Counties can be found at extension.illinois.edu/lms/4-h-youth-development.
ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development
program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through
the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences.4-H
grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and
prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives
young people guidance, tools and encouragement, and then puts them
in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent
research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience,
demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to
contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make
healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and
two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
ABOUT EXTENSION:
Illinois Extension leads public outreach for
University of Illinois by translating research into action plans
that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to
solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and
opportunities.
[SOURCE: Katie Duitsman, University of
Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist
WRITER: Amy Zepp, 4-H Program Coordinator, Sangamon County]
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