PC 4-H members attend local leadership conference

Thirteen Phillips County 4-H members, ages 9-18, attended a District Leadership Conference in Sterling on Feb. 19. This event was open to all 4-H and FFA members within the District area and was largely attended. The conference theme "Become the Leader You Wish to Be" focused on encouraging participants to overcome challenges and become the best version of themselves. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from Landon Schaffert, a former National FFA Secretary, for the opening speaker. He spoke about how he has had to overcome his blindness and other challenges to lead to the caliber of a national level.

Then, in breakout sessions, senior members had the opportunity to ask questions to Senator Jerry Sonnenberg, State Representative Rod Pelton, Logan County Commissioner Byron Pelton and Phillips County Commissioner Terry Hofmeister. Members not only learned about local and state topics such as road maintenance and water rights but also heard about the journeys the men made to achieve their success within their role and all the trials and joys they have experienced as leaders. Senior-aged members also spoke with Northeastern Junior College Assisted Student Government Officers about the opportunity to serve and lead a student body at the collegiate level.

Simultaneously, younger members learned about the structure of local committees, the duties of an officer within an organization and proper parliamentary procedure. Then, they had fun in a dance workshop where some of them tested out their two-left-feet. Finally, to end the conference, participants heard from the highly esteemed Temple Grandin. She spoke about the challenges she faced proving herself with the label as an autistic woman in the agricultural industry. She also spoke on key issues facing agriculturalists and gave insight about possible solutions to these problems.

4-H Extension Agent, Jessie Stewart chaperoned the trip and helped registrations and marketing for the event. However, Brian Kailey, the Logan County 4-H Agent, planned the event and made sure that it ran perfectly.