UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania 4-H will host its annual State 4-H Leadership Conference, Feb. 15-17 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College. Aimed at high school 4-H youth, the conference provides advanced leadership training and creates an opportunity for networking, idea sharing and input into statewide 4-H activities, says Mya Rushton, 4-H youth program management coordinator in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

“This is 4-H’s newest leadership opportunity; it has only been around four years,” Rushton says. “This conference brings together more than 250 youth, ages 13-18, from across Pennsylvania for a four-day leadership training, networking and learning experience.”

Nationally known speakers will lead sessions on public speaking, stress management, making meetings effective, motivating others, recognizing leadership styles and team-building. Each workshop allows participants the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences while developing citizenship and leadership skills.

On Friday night, Melissa and Michael Sheshane from Baylor University will start off the conference with a high-energy presentation, titled “Shake It Up!”, on the importance of servant leadership. On Saturday night, Judson Laipply will perform “Evolution of Dance,” a comedic portrayal of music and dance throughout the years. Laipply will combine his wisdom and good humor to inspire the audience to take charge of their lives with his presentation, “Life Is Change.”

The conference culminates on Sunday, delegates will take part in the conclusion of the statewide “Food Check-Out Day” service project, during which counties across the state collected and donated coins and soda-can tops and proceeds from the year-long 4-H campaign will be presented to the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and Ronald McDonald House at the event’s conclusion.

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EDITORS: Contact Mya Rushton at 814-865-1688, or by e-mail at mrp15@psu.edu

Writer: Donna Abdullah dla5004@psu.edu

Editor: Jeffrey Mulhollem 814-863-2719 jjm29@psu.edu